#while bypassing a ton of dead bodies

[10000year-old-child]

I just realized why I'm so obsessed with WangXian. It's because Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji give me the exact same vibes of Spock /captain Kirk from the good old OG star trek series.

[jimxnslight]

Fool's Gold || Part III

Summary: Sweet Y/N, with her fluffy pastel dresses, soft makeup, and ditzy mannerisms. She’s seen as a fool in a world where there is no place for such things, but little do they know, the only fools are them.

Pairing: mafia leader!Jungkook x mafia leader's daughter!reader

Genre: mafia au, arranged marriage au

Word Count: 15.5k

Warnings: most warnings associated with mafia fics (e.g. gun/physical violence, blood, dead bodies, etc), additional warnings might be added as the story progresses

A/N: it's finally here! Sorry for the wait, things have just been really busy lately... but I hope you enjoy!

<< previous part || masterlist || next part >>

Living with you has been an absolute nightmare.

Obviously Jungkook had known that dropping poison in his champagne and whiskey wouldn’t be the end of your little assassination attempt; he’d expected you to continue doing whatever was in your power to make good on your threat. He may have been a little cocky about it too, teasing you over the fact that he was standing before you unscathed, but the logical part of him still knew to keep his guard up constantly. 

What he hadn’t realised was how exhausting it would all be. 

You’d been here only four days and Jungkook had already had to evade poison in his toothpaste, a suspicious looking pin wedged into the insole of his shoe, and garlic juice in his cologne- the last one seeming far from a homicide attempt and closer to just pissing him off. 

Dealing with that alone was one thing, because it wasn’t something he couldn’t handle. But on top of it all, Jungkook hadn’t slept properly in days. He’d found himself dozing off for a few minutes here and there while holed up in his office at night occasionally, but he had mostly just stuck to spending his nights working, especially on the Park issue. He couldn’t risk actually sleeping in his office considering he knew that you had the ability to bypass the lock. And besides, as much as he would appreciate a few extra hours of sleep, Jungkook still had to be ready for if Jimin decided to attack again, even if he’d been quiet so far.

One of those preparations involved speaking with your father, which was why you and Jungkook were seated in one of the guest houses at 8:00 AM in the morning while your father was sat casually on the creme-coloured settee across from the mahogany coffee table before you both. The guest house was situated near the gates of Jungkook’s estate, still within its borders, but far enough that it had its own entrance and ensured guests wouldn’t end up too close to his house, just how he liked it. 

The initial meeting with your father had been awkward, though Jungkook may have been the only one to catch onto it. Your father hadn’t embraced you or kissed your cheek or told you how much he missed you, instead he had sent a formal nod in your direction before giving Jungkook a firm handshake. After that your father had barely spared you a glance, addressing Jungkook as if he were the only one in the room. You didn’t seem very offended by this either, your gaze instead drifting around the space looking almost bored as the two men conversed casually for a few minutes. 

It was an interesting detail, one Jungkook tucked into the back of his sleep-deprived mind. 

“The differences between the North and South have surprised me a ton,” Mr. Lee commented, taking a sip from the teacup in his hand. His accent was rough, no doubt a product of his upbringing in the South, “you guys do things a lot more softly here in the North.”

It was a jab, Jungkook wasn’t stupid enough not to know that, especially knowing how rough things were in the South. That comment was enough for him to know that your father was the type of man that liked to put others down to make himself seem superior. It only amused Jungkook though, because as per the culture, your father already had a bit of an upper hand since he was older, and yet he still felt the need to talk down to him.

Distantly, he wondered if your father’s personality had something to do with why you decided to hide your true personality even from him. 

“Yes, I suppose so,” Jungkook decided to reply dryly, not bothering to bite back. If he had learned anything, it was how to choose his battles, and an ego trip was not worth it in his books. 

Instead his gaze drifted towards your seemingly aloof form. It was a bit unnerving to see you look so quiet and proper, almost like he was being shown a third side of you. Your facade was still definitely up though, no one could miss the slight widening of your eyes and faint pout of your lips to feign an innocent look, but this version of your act was definitely more placid. 

Jungkook’s gaze travelled back to your father as he smiled, a sudden urge to get you to react overtaking him, “it’s definitely been an adjustment for your daughter.”

At your mention, your wandering eyes were reeled back to meet the gazes of the two men before you once again, but, unlike during the dinner with Taehyung and Chaewon, that was the extent of your reaction to the obvious dig. Jungkook’s eyes narrowed in your direction as you continued to sit silently beside him, an innocent expression still painting your already heavily painted features. 

Despite the topic, Mr. Lee’s gaze stayed fixed on Jungkook, “hope she hasn’t been too much trouble. She used to be quite the spitfire growing up, but thankfully I fixed her right up before she could bring that attitude into adulthood. Can’t imagine how I would’ve gotten her married if I hadn’t.”

The room became quiet as Jungkook shifted uncomfortably in his place, your father’s words, which sounded so casual on his tongue, unable to settle comfortably within him. Jungkook wasn’t so naive as to believe that “fixed her up” alluded to gentle parenting and stern lectures. And if his guesses as to how your father might have disciplined you growing up were correct, then you had his sympathies. Jungkook’s childhood wasn’t exactly filled with rainbows and butterflies, the son of a mafia leader’s childhood never is, but everything his father had done was for the betterment of the Jeons, not so Jungkook could be a good slave to a spouse. 

“No,” he finally decided to answer, “she hasn’t been any trouble at all.”

If your father’s comment had bothered you, you didn’t show it. But Jungkook was still eager to change the subject. 

Before he could, however, he was surprised when he felt you straighten up beside him and beat him to it. 

“How is Hannah doing, father?”

Despite all his research, Jungkook had no clue who Hannah was. He’d never even heard of the name before, which he found surprising considering how well he made sure to research the Lees before his marriage. Nevertheless it was clear to him that whoever this Hannah was, she was important. You’d asked the question with your usual soft voice, a casual hint in your tone, but Jungkook had known you long enough at this point to see past your act. He could see the way your gaze had turned calculating, taking in each and every expression that flitted across your father’s face as he took a sip from his teacup before he finally allowed himself to take you in. 

“She's doing fine,” he answered after a moment, voice void of any emotion, “very fine actually.”

Jungkook didn’t miss the subtle jump in your eyebrows at his words, so subtle that he doubted your father would notice it even though he was finally acknowledging your presence. 

“But you should start worrying more about this place, Y/N. This is your home now after all.”

Your gaze immediately dropped at his words as you gave him a timid nod, ditzy Y/N clearly back in full swing. Most would have witnessed this interaction and seen a loving daughter being rejected by her cold, heartless father. But looking past your act of innocence, Jungkook couldn’t help but feel that there was more to this interaction than that. The relationship you had with your father was weird. If Jungkook hadn’t known either of you, he wouldn’t have guessed that you were more than mere acquaintances with how distant you both seemed. No love, no animosity, just… impassive.

And yet, despite this clearly uncommunicative relationship, you’d spoken up only once in this entire conversation to ask about a person named Hannah - or rather you had wanted confirmation about something regarding Hannah, and judging from the way your expression had returned to that naively bored look, you had gotten the confirmation you were seeking. Neither of you had offered to identify who Hannah was to Jungkook either, so he doubted asking would prove to be very useful. 

If only Jungkook had the mind to figure everything out on his own at this moment. He’d already had to stifle three yawns since the beginning of the conversation, all of which he was able to hide only because your father had initially seemed very interested in scanning the contents of the guest house. Hopefully he’d get better at hiding his exhaustion as the day progressed, he had a long day ahead of him after all. 

Your father caught Jungkook’s attention once again when he leaned forward to place his empty teacup on the mahogany coffee table in front of him. The teacup clinked against the wood before he leaned back into the settee, giving Jungkook a questioning look. 

“So, now that we’ve got the chit chat out of the way, why’d you need to see me so desperately?” He asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Jungkook ignored the arrogant structuring of his words once again, gaze instead drifting to you, who was keenly scanning the front page of a newspaper that had been haphazardly placed on the coffee table to give the room a more homey feel. 

He wasn’t entirely sure whether you knew anything about Jimin’s attack on the West Docks. Yes, you had broken into his office once, but Jungkook didn’t leave important stuff like that just lying around so technically you didn’t have any way of knowing about it. Jungkook preferred if you didn’t, because obviously the less you knew the better. You were trying to kill him after all, and as much as he liked to make a joke out of it, he wasn’t dumb enough not to at least partially take it seriously. 

So Jungkook shifted in his seat to face you, the action catching your previously wandering attention, before he placed a hand on your knee. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t hesitant, but thankfully you didn’t flinch at the contact. 

“Why don’t you go freshen up, princess? Your father and I have some business to discuss, and then after that you and I have somewhere to be.”

Jungkook watched your eyebrows twitch, though whether it was from the nickname or in question of where the two of you would be heading he didn’t know. But then your gaze flickered to your father’s direction for a moment before you quietly nodded. 

You stood from the settee, ignoring the way Jungkook’s hand, which had been resting on your knee, brushed against your skin as it fell. When you faced your father, hands clutched before you, he was already looking up at you with a familiarly indifferent expression. 

“It was nice seeing you again, father,” you said formally, keeping your voice light and soft as you offered him a small bow. You were returned a formal nod, another familiar action, before you turned away from the two men and pushed through the double doors of the guest house. 

A deep sigh escaped your lips the moment you heard the door shut behind you, feeling as though someone had lifted an anvil off your chest. Your father’s presence had always felt suffocating, you were just glad that the two of you being in the same room has also always been a rare occurrence in itself. 

You didn’t have time to dwell on that fact as the beauty of Jungkook’s estate now stood before you in all its glory. Lush green grass surrounding a stone walkway, colourful flowers popping out of strategically placed beds, and large, but maintained, Japanese Maple trees scattered here and there were all organised neatly to form a breathtaking courtyard. 

This was the one thing you could unconditionally appreciate about Jungkook’s estate. Most leaders’ estates screamed money with the various marble statues of themselves and their families littering their front yards and excessive landscaping drenching the flowers and grass in stone and metal. But Jungkook’s was filled with greenery, as if you were walking through an enormous garden. You loved it. 

While surveying the area your gaze dropped to the stone pathway before you, the one you and Jungkook had walked through to get to the guest house and also the one you were certain Jungkook was expecting you to take after being kicked out of said guest house. You stared at it for no more than three seconds, not even bothering to think it over, before you spun around in your spot and pressed your ear to the door you had just emerged from. 

There was something wrong. 

Although alliances were a very uncommon thing in the South, you were still smart enough to know that business deals between allies should be eased into slowly, not started four days after a marriage. This meeting was happening way too soon, which made you doubt it was business-related at all. 

Jungkook needed something from the Lees. The only question was what?

After leaning quietly against the door for a few minutes, you were only able to pick up a few words here and there between quick stifled yawns. It would’ve disappointed you if it wasn’t for the one name you managed to catch Jungkook say as clear day.

Park Jimin.

The leader of the Parks. The man whose close friend consisted of the ruthless Min Yoongi, leader of the Mins. Both mafias were located north of Taehyung and Jungkook’s territories. Personally, you’ve never heard of any ongoing disputes between the four, but if Jungkook was mentioning Park’s name in a meeting with your father, there had to be something going on. 

That would be perfect, because if you killed Jungkook while he was having a feud with Jimin, then Jungkook’s death would be more likely to be pinned on Jimin, allowing you to bear no consequences and be sent back to the Lees without a scratch. 

Except… it wasn’t perfect, because killing Jungkook had proven to be a lot harder than you had anticipated.

Killing your first husband had been child’s play. Even after you’d grabbed the gun from his waistband and shot him twice in the chest, his men had taken one look at the scene and ruled you out before you had even had the chance to construct a detailed tale of an assassin that had come through the window and shot him dead. They had been complete idiots, entirely unable to see the doe-eyed girl with frilly pink dresses and a soft airy voice as anything more than that. 

But this case was an entirely different challenge. You’d realised on the very night of your wedding that the people around Jungkook, as well as Jungkook himself of course, were not as stupid. You knew that if you tried to pull the same stunt again, you’d be pinned for the murder eventually. It’s why you hadn't even bothered to search for some kind of weapon in Jungkook’s mansion, nor had you tried to steal the gun you knew stayed sat on Jungkook’s waistband at every moment of the day. If you used a weapon to kill Jungkook, you’d be caught. 

That’s why you had stuck to poisons as your main choice of weapon. The collection of toxins you had managed to smuggle into the mansion, all thanks to Persilla of course, was made to make kills look like nature’s fate. Yet, despite dropping toxins into anything that could possibly make contact with Jungkook’s mouth or skin for the past four days, your efforts were proving to be futile. Jungkook’s knack for catching onto small details was just a difficult barrier to overcome. 

You knew H hadn’t sent you that note to pressure you into speeding up Jungkook’s murder, and you hadn’t taken it in that way at first, but now that four days had passed you were beginning to think about changing your methods. It would be more complicated, but you needed to get this done quickly. 

A gun would be the best way to finish him off in your opinion; it was the one weapon you were a master of and getting a hold of one shouldn’t be too difficult with all the guards milling around the estate. Then all you’d need to do was get Jungkook alone, shoot him dead, and then plant some evidence that pointed towards the Parks. You’d need to be careful, but it was doable a-

“Now look what I’ve found.”

You snapped away from the door and whirled around, startled entirely as a male voice suddenly spoke up from behind you. You were met with the view of a man, one you’ve never seen before, standing a couple metres away from your form, his hair as light brown as his eyes. He stood with his hands in the pockets of his dark jeans, while the buttons of his white polo shirt were open to reveal a sliver of his neck. 

“I seem to have caught a nosy little mouse.”

You wanted to ask him who he was and what he was doing here. Anyone within the gates of Jungkook’s estate had to be close to him, you’d learned that much during your stay here. Yet, Jungkook had failed to mention this man at all. 

But before you could voice your questions, the man stepped forward, brown dress shoes tapping against the stone beneath you both, and held out a hand, “I’m Daehyun, Jungkook’s cousin. We haven’t formally been introduced.”

Tentatively, because you still had an act to uphold, you reached out to shake his hand, making sure to keep your grip weak, “I’m Y/N.”

Then you remembered that eavesdropping on a conversation between Jungkook and your dad may not seem like the most innocent thing to Daehyun. So you quickly mustered up a believable excuse. 

“I swear I wasn’t trying to listen to their conversation! I just…”

You paused, pretending to shy away from him to give the illusion that you were embarrassed to admit the blatant lie that was about to escape your lips.

“I just wanted to know if Jungkook would talk about me,” you said, keeping your gaze on the ground as you started fidgeting with your fingers, “he’s not the most talkative man with me, so I just wanted to see if he would admit anything to my father.”

“Mhmm,” Daehyun replied, and you couldn’t help but feel that the tone of his voice gave the impression that he wasn’t paying attention. Finding that strange, you lifted your gaze from the ground hesitantly and observed him. The sight made you grimace inwardly. 

Daehyun’s lack of interest could be explained by the fact that he was too busy raking his eyes across your body, taking in your bare legs and neck, almost as if he were entranced. You noticed his fingers twitch as he took in the frills of your pink dress and the silk bow holding up half your hair. 

“God, you don’t look a day over 19,” he commented, as if you weren’t even there and he was simply talking to himself, “how old are you, darling?”

This was far from the first time a guy had looked at you as though you were a piece of meat. In fact, your act seemed to garner a lot more attention from the male species than it should. You liked to think that all the years of this had made you immune to moments like these, but deep down you knew it still made your skin crawl.

That being said, the implications of Daehyun’s words were beginning to register in your mind. This was Jungkook’s cousin, his family. It was customary for all male members of mafia families to have a gun with them at all times, which meant that there was a very high probability that, if Daehyun were to turn around, you would catch sight of a shiny black gun wedged into his waistband. He didn’t seem like the intelligent type to you either, which meant this would be a better opportunity to steal a gun compared to snagging one from a constantly alert guard. 

All you needed to do was get him a little closer to you. 

“Twenty-three,” you finally answered, keeping your voice soft and innocent-sounding. You took the opportunity to take a timid step forward, one that seemed to go unnoticed by Daehyun.

Instead he nodded, as if in approval of your answer, “Jungkook really hit the jackpot with you, didn’t he… I expect you’ll age beautifully. Lucky bastard.”

You pushed down the urge to throw up in your mouth. If you were being honest with yourself, you didn’t think you had it in you to lead him on in order to steal the gun. He was just way too slimy, saying things that were way too gross. 

But turns out, you didn’t really need to say anything as Daehyun took another step towards you, leaving only a hand’s length between yourself and him. You automatically felt yourself tense. If it were up to you, you’d have grabbed his shirt and kicked him where the sun doesn’t shine. But you were ditzy Y/N at the moment, and ditzy Y/N couldn’t fight back. 

Instead you tried to focus on the gun. He was close enough that you could snake your arm behind him without him noticing, but he still needed to get a little closer for you to grab it. 

“Relax, darling,” Daehyun soothed, and to both your distaste and relief he placed a hand on your shoulder, closing the distance you needed. Your hand crept forward slowly, stopping at his waistband, “you don’t need to be so tense-”

“Daehyun.”

Crap.

Your empty hand shot back to your side as your gaze snapped to the source of the voice, Daehyun’s following suit less quickly. Jungkook was shutting the door of the guest house behind him, dark eyes fixed on the hand on your shoulder. His voice had been low, the threat in them evident. Yet, Daehyun smiled, instead taking his time in removing his hand from your shoulder and taking a step back. 

“Jungkook,” he nodded, his hands returning to his pockets, “your wife and I were just having a small chat.”

You searched the space behind Jungkook, finding no sign of your father. The guest house had two exits, one that led into Jungkook’s estate and another that led outside of it. Your father must have gone through the latter. 

Jungkook gained your attention once again when he took a few steps forward, his sharp gaze fixed on Daehyun, “you can talk without touching.”

Daehyun raised his hands in mock surrender as Jungkook paused in front of you, scanning you from head to toe for a second, before he grabbed your wrist and began dragging you away from him, barely sparing him another glance as he started on the stone pathway you knew led to his mansion. There was this one patch of the pathway that you noticed hid the two of you from the attentive eyes of the guards. You took that opportunity to drop your act of innocence. 

“Cousin of yours?” You asked with an eyebrow raised. 

“Unfortunately.”

Your brows furrowed as you watched Jungkook spit out the word through gritted teeth, keeping his face forward. He was angry. He didn’t like Daehyun, you realised. Yet he seemed to have free access to his house? That didn’t make any sense.

You watched the patch eventually give way to a large circular driveway that laid before the front doors of Jungkook’s mansion. There was a sleek black car already parked on the grey concrete, obscured slightly by the fountain in the circle’s centre. It probably had something to do with what Jungkook was talking about earlier, about how there was somewhere the two of you would be going. 

With your innocent facade back up, because you noticed guards milling around this part of the estate, you turned to Jungkook with a curious look, “where are we going?”

He paused for a moment as his gaze dropped on you, and you immediately knew he was choosing his next words carefully, making sure to pick the ones that only allowed you to know as much as he wanted you to. 

“We’re going to meet some families,” he finally answered, but you’d already become distracted as you noticed a guard walk up to the window of the black car and begin speaking with the driver, the exposed gun at his hip suddenly looking very attractive to you especially after your failed attempt at snatching Daehyun’s. 

“And why is that?” You asked him absentmindedly, wondering if there was any way you could grab the weapon. You’d only need to brush past the guard for a moment to grab and shove it into the holster at your thigh. You knew the frills of your dress would do an amazing job at hiding its outline as well, even from eyes like Jungkook’s.

“There was an accident at the West Docks and a few workers died. We’re going to meet with the families and pay our respects.”

Your attention snapped back to Jungkook, the reminder to keep your expression light coming just a millisecond too late. It was a practically microscopic reaction, but it was enough for Jungkook to pick up on, making him tilt his head in question.

“I’m sorry, what?” You asked without much thought, because you honestly didn’t have anything smarter to say. Why was a mafia leader paying respects to people who weren't part of the family?

You weren't an idiot; it was no coincidence that Jungkook mentioned an incident taking place at the docks around the same time he had a meeting with your father in which he was mentioning Park Jimin’s name. You’d pieced together that said “incident” was more likely some kind of attack, and the one responsible for said attack was probably Park Jimin. If Jimin had attacked Jungkook’s docks, then that meant he was testing how strong the Jeons were at the moment, which further meant that he was interested in taking over the territory. Obviously Jungkook would have wanted to ensure that he had your father’s support if things were to escalate. 

People would have died in the attack at the West Docks, that’s how it always worked. Hell, people died at the borders all the time in the South since there was so much animosity between the territories there. 

But that’s just how things worked, or at least that’s what you’d heard mafia leaders parrot to each other growing up. “They knew what they were signing up for.” “They’re doing it for the sake of the mafia.” It was the kind of thinking that you loathed, and that exact thinking that you hoped to dismantle bit by bit until everyone, not just you, could see the flaws behind it. 

Yet… here Jungkook was, saying he wanted to value those lives lost by paying respects to their mourning families…

It was unbelievable. 

However, before either of you could speak, the door of the parked car opened to reveal a man wearing a standard suit. He stepped out onto the concrete, only to turn around in his place and open the door to the backseat. He continued to stay like that, patiently waiting for the two of you. 

Jungkook was the first to move, walking around the car to open the door himself and disappear behind the sleek black metal, while you eventually followed behind him, giving the man a soft thank you before sinking into the backseat beside your husband. In a matter of seconds, the doors were shut and you felt the car begin to move beneath you. 

There was an unfamiliar silence as you peered through the tinted windows, watching as the car passed through the front gates before submerging into a thick forest. The four days you’ve been at Jungkook’s mansion had been full of constant bickering, that was until someone else would enter the room. Then suddenly you were clasping your hands in front of you and bowing with a soft smile, all while Jungkook hid his cocky grins. 

“What? No snappy comebacks today?” Jungkook spoke, probably feeling the uncharacteristic silence as well. Despite noticing that there was a divider between the driver and you both, meaning there was no reason for you to keep your act up, you didn’t answer. 

You didn’t know why his earlier words weren’t sitting well with you. Just because Jungkook dropped a few condolences here and there didn’t make him a good person. He was the leader of a mafia after all, and you’d met enough of them to know the kind of people they were: cruel, merciless, and lacking in respect for the ones outside their families. Even the level of care they had for their families was questionable. 

But still… this was throwing you off.

You turned around in your seat as a sudden thought came to mind, causing Jungkook’s gaze to shift from the window to your form. 

“What do you mean by paying respect?” You asked. Perhaps the phrase meant something different in the North. Perhaps instead of meeting the families and expressing empathy for their loss, he was going to lecture them on the need for martyrs and how the families owed the Jeons for letting them live in their territories. Yes, that made a lot more sense to you. 

Jungkook, on the other hand, was looking at you as if you’d gone insane. 

“I won’t even begin to answer that question,” he scoffed. But then he seemed to consider something for a moment, probably the fact that you would also be the one paying respects and not knowing what that was might be a hindrance to his perfect image, and spoke with an annoyed sigh, “we will be meeting with the families, relaying a few comforting words. Let them know that we will be supporting them from now on so they can focus solely on overcoming their grief rather than on how they’ll make ends meet moving forward.”

You turned back to your window with a frustrated breath, his answer doing nothing to dissipate your confusion. You might have also faced away from him to hide a stifled yawn. Car rides tended to make you sleepy, and in combination with the fact that you haven’t slept properly throughout your stay at the Jeon Mansion, it was taking a lot of willpower to keep your mind alert at the moment. 

“Considering that this will be our first official public appearance, I should also repeat how crucial it will be for you to act like a good wife.”

You rolled your eyes as a huff escaped your lips, “Yeah, I get it.”

“If you getting it means you’ll act better than the way you acted in front of your father, then good,” he commented, which made you turn to him once again with a brow raised. 

“What is that supposed to mean? I was fine in front of my father.”

Jungkook shrugged, “you could have been better.”

“How?”

He thought for a moment, mulling it over before he responded with an amused look, “when you were leaving the room, you stood up and just let my hand fall away to the side. Some would take that as a sign that you’re mad at me.”

“I am not going to kiss the ground you walk on just so that a few jobless people will keep their mouths shut,” you shot back. If you were having any qualms about killing him earlier they were entirely gone now. You were going to enjoy each and every moment of gutting the man at your side, not even the slightest hint of guilt.

“Not to mention how quiet you were,” he continued, but this time you could feel the weight of his gaze deepen, “you do know that we’ll have to actually speak to the families, right?”

There was a silent curiosity in his eyes that he didn’t voice, but you knew it was there, though for what exactly it was for you didn’t know. Was he questioning why you were so quiet? If that were the case, you didn’t have an answer; you hadn’t even realised you’d been so quiet during the meeting. Or was he curious about Hannah? You doubted it. With all the research he had done on the Lees and your territory, you guessed he already knew who she was. 

“Relax, Jungkook,” you waved him off, “I’ve been acting as someone else for years. You’ll get your nice and loving wife.”

With that settled you turned back to the window, stifling another yawn with your hand. 

-

-

-

The first thing you notice when you wake up is the fact that you were actually waking up, meaning that at some point during the ride you had fallen asleep. The second thing you noticed as you were waking up was that whatever thing you were leaning on did not feel like the inner side of a car door. That second realisation had you sitting up in your seat instantly, eyes shooting open to understand the situation. 

Outside you could see that there were no longer thick-trunked trees surrounding the road in which you drove on, instead replaced by groups of houses and small apartment buildings. You watched as kids playing in the roughened streets stopped to stare at the sleek black car, their parents no different as they tried to see through the tinted windows with unfiltered curiosity. 

You turned away from the window to take in Jungkook, whose shoulder you realised you’d made your pillow while you’d fallen asleep, only to have your eyes widen. 

To your surprise, Jungkook had fallen asleep as well, with his head resting back against the headrest and lips just slightly parted. Small puffs of breath rhythmically escaped from between them when he exhaled, a telltale sign that he truly was asleep and not just resting his eyes or something. 

The image had you frozen for a moment. He looked so… peaceful. Not that he always looked stressed out. Despite having a killer for a wife, Jungkook seemed to be pretty relaxed most of the time, amused even. But this was a different kind of peace, one that came with a complete lack of thoughts, making him look almost innocent - not the hard leader that you knew him to be. 

Without his gaze on yours preventing it, you also noticed things that you’d never really noticed about him before. Like the length of his eyelashes, or the strong dip of his jawline. His lips had a red undertone and rounded into a slight pout, while his skin was flawless - not a very common characteristic amongst leaders, though not many were as young as Jungkook - aside from the end of a faded scar peeking from behind the collar of his black shirt. The side of his hair that was facing you was slightly ruffled, as if his head had been leaning against something before it had moved to lean against the seat behind him. 

God this man was fine. 

You forced your gaze forward, realising that you were staring. Were you really so deprived that you were finding the man that you were supposed to kill hot? Well, in your defence, you had eyes. Also in your defence, the leaders in the South were all old and slimy dudes that should have been put down years ago. Just looking at Jungkook was like a breath of fresh air after drowning.

But then you paused, realising the weight of the situation. Jungkook was asleep, the same Jungkook who you knew had a gun wedged into his waistband at this very moment. It was risky, he’d definitely notice it missing when he woke up considering his attention to detail, but if you were to grab the gun, and then immediately get out of the car, he’d have no choice but to let you hold onto it until the two of you were out of the public’s eye. It would be more than enough time to secretly kill him and then plant evidence incriminating Jimin. 

Judging from the houses outside, you deemed that you both were close enough to the destination that you could hop out of the car immediately after it stopped. So you turned around, making sure to keep your movements as slow as possible, before you snaked an arm around his torso. You could feel the soft inside of his black blazer as your hand slipped beneath it, fingers just barely ghosting over his equally black dress shirt. It was unlucky that his gun was on the side of his waist facing away from you, but thankfully after checking to make sure he was still asleep, which he was, your fingers wrapped around the metal handle. 

Or at least you thought he had been asleep, because as you pulled the gun from its confines, a hand suddenly engulfing yours made you flinch. 

Your gaze snapped up to him, surprised when you found him wide awake and staring back at you. In all honesty, it wasn’t the fact that you were caught that had you frozen like a deer in headlights, Jungkook was well aware of your intentions, but rather the position that you were in. You’d used your left hand to grab his gun, which left your entire front to be pressed against his chest, while your right hand was resting on his other side, practically caging him against the seat of the car. Barely a breath’s distance separated your face with his, making the intensity of his stare all the more intimidating. 

You tried to pull away from him, but his hand brushed higher to wrap around your wrist and keep you in place, dark brown eyes still boring into yours.

“Put it back.”

It shouldn’t have, but the deepness of his voice sent a tiny shiver down your spine, one that you did everything in your power to make sure Jungkook couldn’t notice. You’d rather be caught dead than having Jungkook think you were into him in any way whatsoever. 

A small part of you, the same one that had persuaded you to drop a good amount of garlic into his cologne just yesterday, also reasoned that you’d never be caught dead taking orders from him as well. Logically speaking, there was no way you could save this attempt at taking his gun, he’d caught you and that was that. And yet, despite that, you didn’t move, hand still clutching the gun which was now hovering over his waistband. 

You felt Jungkook’s fingers tighten slightly around the soft skin of your wrist, the lack of your movement not going unnoticed by him. 

“Put it back, Y/N.”

It only made you want to do the opposite, just to piss him off a bit more, but you knew you were only delaying the inevitable. So, with the tiny devil at your shoulder retreating back to wherever it had come from and with a frustrated breath escaping your lips, you slowly pushed the gun back into his waistband. The action was slow, still dragging it out for as long as possible, until you felt the trigger guard push against the edge of the cloth. Yet, even when you let the handle drop from your grasp, Jungkook’s hand didn’t drop from your wrist. Instead, the edges of his lips twitched upwards.

“So we’ve moved on from poisons now?” He asked instead, voice low as his satisfied gaze stayed fixed on yours, “is my whiskey finally free from your terror?”

Your reply was quick, though your voice was just as low and breathy as his, “I wouldn’t start trusting it just yet.”

You really meant that, considering the new bottles of whiskey Jungkook had ordered had already been spiked not even an hour after they’d been placed in his cabinet. You knew that he knew, making the action pointless, but you were weak in front of that little devil at your shoulder. 

The abrupt sound of the car’s door opening made you jerk back into your seat, ripping your empty hand from Jungkook’s, as you quickly fixed the ruffles in your dress. By the time the driver’s face appeared at the doorway, you were offering him an innocent smile, making sure to keep your eyes bright and lips stuck in a perpetually delighted turn. An amused breath escaped Jungkook as he turned to open his own door. You hadn’t even realised that the car had come to a stop. 

You accepted the driver’s hand as he extended it towards you, the short heel of your white shoes tapping against the grey concrete while you stepped out of the car, grateful suddenly for the fresh air. 

You didn’t know what exactly you were expecting when Jungkook had said that you were going to meet with families. Mostly you had pictured a stage, one that he would stand and speak on, and then a crowd of families standing before it paying close attention to his every word. But there was no such stage in sight, in fact, as you looked around the area you noticed that there was nothing out of the ordinary; just a simple neighbourhood with kids playing in the cracked street and parents standing in their worn front porches. Everyone was staring though, curious eyes staying fixed on Jungkook, and then on you. 

It was a bit daunting if you were being entirely honest with yourself. Yes, you were the daughter of a mafia leader, but you’d never actually been made to make public appearances like this, much less speak at them. Daughters of leaders were more like decoration pieces, hidden away until they were married off. 

Jungkook rounded the car until he was standing at your side, an arm wrapping snuggly around your waist. The action had been hesitant, as if he expected you to push him away or flinch at the touch, but you were beyond trying to fight whatever image of perfection Jungkook was trying to sell; there were bigger issues you needed to worry about now. And maybe a tiny part of you found comfort in it as you noticed all the eyes that were on you now. It was your first public appearance in the Jeon Territory after all, everyone would be curious about the Jeon Jungkook’s new wife. You needed to appear shy for the sake of your act, but you were still able to notice the mixed reactions, some confused, some sceptical, but most were just surprised. 

Jungkook also seemed to be scanning the crowd before he turned towards you, whispering the words in your ear, “let’s get going.”

You didn’t have time to notice the fuss that action had caused in a group of girls before you both began following a guard into a house on your right. He guided you through the doorway, the door already wide open, as you made your way towards what seemed like a living room. The space had a homey vibe, pictures of the family scattered across the walls and lit candles placed on the tables, but it was clear that whoever lived here was struggling: the paint was peeling off the walls, the wooden floor was littered with scuffs and dents, and the furniture looked a day away from crumbling. It pained your heart to see the kitchen barren. 

It was only when you and Jungkook managed to squeeze into the small living room that you finally noticed signs of life. There was an old woman sitting on the only sofa in the room, her expression dejected while her form was hunched forward in a way that you knew was a result of grief and not old age. At the sound of your footsteps her head raised, taking in the two of you with pained eyes. 

You had to mask your surprise when you watched Jungkook lower himself onto a knee before her, “hello Mrs. Hwang.”

The woman, Mrs. Hwang, ignored the greeting, instead shaking her head while keeping her gaze on the hands resting in her lap, “I don’t understand. They keep telling me he’s gone, but I just don’t understand… How could he be gone? How could my beautiful son be gone? What happened to him?”

“Mrs. Hwang,” Jungkook said slowly, his brows pulling together in sympathy, “your son and a few other workers were killed in a construction accident at the West Docks. I’m sorry.”

The tears that had been swimming in her eyes finally began to stream down her cheeks, the news coming from the leader of the Jeons finally confirming what she had seemingly been denying for a while, but you could only try to fan the flames of the anger that ignited in your chest. There was no construction accident, there had been an attack orchestrated by Jimin, and normal people who had nothing to do with the territorial feud had suffered the consequences. This poor woman, for example, had lost her son. She deserved to know the real reason he was gone, deserved to belt out her anger at the actual people responsible, not be fed a cover-up story you knew was only being promoted in order to prevent public unrest.

You watched as Jungkook tried to reassure her, his words artfully compassionate and reassuring, wondering just how much of those words he actually meant. He probably didn’t mean many of them, if any at all. Perhaps this was the method in which he maintained his power? Leaders in the South usually asserted their power by ensuring the public feared them, scaring them so much that even the thought of betrayal had them shaking in fear. But Jungkook was a smart man. Perhaps he realised that being loved by the public was a better method of manipulation, one that produced more loyalty. 

You’d been so deep in thought that when you felt the tap of Jungkook’s black dress shoe on your white ones you almost flinched. He was looking up at you with a pointed look, and it was then that you realised that the woman was staring at you as well, as if she were waiting for you to speak. Jungkook’s words, genuine or not, seemed to have stopped the tears that had been flowing down her cheeks while you’d been distracted because there was almost nothing left of them except the water staining her cheeks. 

Sensing your confusion, Jungkook gave Mrs. Hwang a strained smile, “you must excuse her, she’s still getting used to the North. It can be overwhelming at times.”

Mrs. Hwang nodded in understanding before she turned to face you once again. 

“That’s okay dear. I was just wondering how married life has been treating you. My husband passed away so long ago yet I still find myself missing the companionship even now.”

Oh… 

That was not the kind of question you hesitate at if you want people to get a good impression of your and Jungkook’s relationship, and the look on Jungkook’s face at the moment only confirmed those thoughts. 

“It’s been treating me well,” you answered finally, hesitating on what the right thing to say would be in this situation, “he’s been very good to me.”

It was the wrong thing to say, you realised that at the exact moment Jungkook grimaced and tears started to stream down Mrs. Hwang’s face once again. She nodded in your direction, “my husband treated me well too. How I miss him… And now my son is gone as well, who do I have left?”

Your voice died in your throat, mind unable to come up with anything that could possibly comfort the bawling woman who had lost so much. All you could do was stand dumbly and watch her crumble before you, wishing you could crawl into a hole and stay there forever hidden. 

Jungkook, on the other hand, immediately placed a hand on her knee and began to reassure her once again, comforting words falling from his lips like a gentle stream. He reminded her of how her son and husband were in a better place now, of the friends she still has in the neighbourhood, and then of her granddaughter who needed her to be strong. 

At the mention of her granddaughter, the door of the living room suddenly smacked open, revealing a little girl skipping into the room. She was wearing a sparkly pink shirt and washed out jeans which were fraying at the edges, while a worn doll hung from her fingers. Despite this, there was a bright smile on her face as she walked deeper into the room. 

The sight of Jungkook slowed her down in her tracks, replacing the once innocent smile with a deep blush painting her cheeks. Her gaze shifted away from him, clearly shy from her sudden crush. But then she caught sight of her grandmother and her gaze became worried. She made her way to her side quickly before gently placing the doll on her grandmother’s lap, also placing a comforting hand on her arm.

“Don’t cry grandma,” she said with a frown, using her other hand to push a few strands of her grandmother’s hair behind her ear. The girl turned in Jungkook’s direction, though the blush was back and her eyes wouldn’t meet his, “I keep telling her not to be sad, but she keeps crying.”

It was then when she caught sight of someone else in the room, making her turn to face in your direction. Her reaction was immediate, eyes lighting up in excitement as she took in your dress, then your shoes, and then your makeup. The girl quickly jumped from the side of the sofa and skipped over to you, eyes wide in childlike amazement. 

“Your dress!” She squealed, continuing to skip in a circle around you as she scanned you from top to bottom, “it’s so pretty! I’m going to ask Daddy to get me one just like it when he comes back!”

The last sentence felt like a hammer to your chest, and you could see Jungkook’s expression also sadden from behind her. How long would it take this little girl to realise that her father would not be coming back? That his life had been taken from him only because of the cruel way in which this world was structured?

Before you could think much of it, you slowly lowered yourself to the ground, knees touching the cold wood as you became eye to eye with the excited girl before you. It gave her the opportunity to marvel at your hair and the light sparkles on your eyelids, her small hand brushing against the frills of your dress softly as her excitement only heightened. 

“You look just like a princess!” She continued. But then a thought seemed to strike her, suddenly making her shy, “do you think I could grow up to be a princess like you one day?”

You smiled at her, using every bit of your self control not to cry for this little girl and her innocence, “I think you’ll grow up to be an even prettier princess one day.”

Her smile brightened again, her confidence restored in that quick way only a child’s confidence could. You wanted that confidence to stick though, knowing just how quickly the cruelty of this world could destroy it . 

“But do you want me to tell you a little secret?” You asked, to which she nodded hastily, also desperate in that way only children were. 

“You don’t need pink dresses and sparkles to be a princess.” You gently took hold of her hand, giving her tiny fingers a comforting squeeze. This new information seemed to shock her, her eyes widening as a surprised gasp escaped her lips, “what matters is your heart. Your grandmother lost someone very dear to her, and she’ll need someone to help her get through her sadness.”

The girl straightened up immediately, chin rising as if to meet the challenge head on, “don’t worry, Daddy always makes me in charge of helping grandma. I’ll always take care of her.”

“That’s very responsible of you,” you praised.

“I am! I’m very-” She struggled with the words for a moment until she finally seemed to manage the beast, “responsible!”

An amused breath escaped your lips at her childish confidence, despite the sorrow tugging at your heartstrings. 

“And when you realise what you’ve lost,” you continued, this time speaking to the girl she will become when the devastating news finally hits her, “your grandma will be there to get you through it as well. You won’t be alone, okay?”

She nodded innocently, the weight of your words flying over her head. But that was okay, she’d realise their meaning when the time came. You could only hope that they would provide at least some comfort when it really mattered. 

Without another thought, you reached behind your head to unravel the silky pink ribbon in your hair, making sure to smooth it out before you held it out to her. She squealed in delight, grabbing the ribbon and softly running a hand over the silk material. 

But then she suddenly looked up from it and threw her arms around your neck, the spontaneity of the action causing you to flinch. 

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She continued to squeal, “I think you’re the best princess in the world!”

With her chin laying on your shoulder, your gaze automatically met Jungkook’s as your hands hesitantly raised to rest on her back. He was still kneeling in front of Mrs. Hwang, but his hand had dropped from her knee to his own, realising that it was unneeded as a fond smile was overtaking her expression at the sight of her happy granddaughter. Jungkook’s expression was unreadable as he watched the girl jump excitedly in your embrace. 

The two of you only stayed a few minutes longer, only because the girl had insisted that you tie the ribbon in her hair, before Jungkook stood and cleared his throat, a clear sign that you both should get going. You hadn’t even realised how heavy the atmosphere had been in the house until you were walking through the doorway, finally able to take in a full breath of fresh air. A guard was already standing before the front door, turning around to lead you both to the next house when he noticed your presence. 

“Well… that was interesting,” Jungkook commented, his face turning in your direction to meet your gaze. 

You were quiet as you followed behind him, making sure to pull your act back up in the process. You hadn’t realised that it had sort of dropped when you began speaking to the girl, the heat of the moment enough to make you forget. 

You didn’t turn to meet his gaze, instead scanning the area and people that surrounded you both as you spoke, “I’m not very good at it.”

His head tilted in question. 

In hindsight, you should have told him earlier, but perhaps you were a tiny bit embarrassed of it. Now, though, the cat was out of the bag, so there was no point in trying to hide it from him now.

“The wife thing? The hugging and laughing and kissing? I can do that,” you finally admitted, “but comforting? I’m not the best at it.”

That was an understatement, but you were sure Jungkook probably knew that by now. His gaze felt heavy as he watched you for a moment, studying your expression. Then he turned away, keeping his eyes fixed before him as he spoke words you were not expecting in the slightest.

“You did alright.”

-

-

-

It was early in the evening when you and Jungkook finally visited the last house, the sun just barely visible above the horizon when you had crossed over the street to follow behind the guard for the last time today. You had visited at least 20 houses, all of which weighed your heart down more and more until you had felt like you were dragging it against the concrete beneath you. Some had lost their son, their brother, their husband, all of whom were important not only because they were loved, but also because they had been the sole provider of the family. You committed each grief-filled face to memory, promising that pain like that would be a thing of the past. 

It only made you more determined to accomplish your goal. 

Now you stood behind Jungkook as he spoke to a woman in her kitchen, listening attentively to her describe the kind man that was her late husband with a bittersweet fondness. His expression was sympathetic as she spoke, nodding every so often with a gentle smile, while the woman thanked him again and again for being here and helping them. 

If your observations proved anything, people certainly respected him around here. Whenever he would pass by in the street or when he spoke with the families, you watched many bow in his presence or express their gratitude for him. But no one ever invaded his space, and they definitely didn’t try to speak to him unless spoken to. It was all in all a respectful appreciation for the man they thought was a good leader. It was such an odd sight to you, being so used to people in the South trembling in fear in the presence of a leader, that it seemed almost foreign. 

Your gaze travelled around the room as you continued to stand with your hands clasped in front of yourself, casually surveying the small area while simultaneously making sure to absently follow the conversation in case you were spoken to. After your visit to the first house, you’d decided that it was best if you stayed as quiet as possible seeing as you were a trainwreck when it came to comforting people. Sure, you’d sort of saved yourself when you had spoken to the little girl, but you had clearly said the wrong things when you’d spoken to Mrs. Hwang. It was an embarrassing shortcoming on your part, but you also couldn’t really blame yourself. It’s not like you had any examples from when you were growing up to draw on. 

You were pulled from your thoughts, however, when you noticed a quick shadow flit in your peripheral vision, making you discreetly turn your head in that direction. For a moment, the doorway in which your gaze had settled on was empty aside from a guard who stood still in front of it, to the point that you thought you had imagined it. But then a fluffy black tail slithered from behind the wall, making you freeze in place. The tail brushed against the wooden floor before its owner turned around, the familiar face and collar moving into view. 

Persilla’s feline eyes stayed fixed on you as she sat herself down for a moment, tilting her head as she watched you meet her gaze in surprise. She was going completely unnoticed by everyone else in the room, though that part didn’t surprise you. That cat was a master of camouflage after all. She was only seen when she wanted to be. 

Which was why her presence had you wondering what she was doing here. 

The answer to that question came when she suddenly stood, walking dangerously close to the guard as she crossed him and made her way into the hallway slowly. She easily blended into the shadows as she paused and turned back for a moment, making sure that you were still watching her, before she finally slipped into one of the rooms which had a door that was slightly ajar. 

The message was clear to you: she wanted you to follow her. 

You glanced at Jungkook and the woman, who were still deep in conversation thankfully, before you silently shuffled to the doorway where the guard was standing idly. 

“Excuse me?” You spoke, voice soft as a feather. The man’s firm gaze shifted to you, “is there a bathroom anywhere that I could use?”

You could feel Jungkook sneak a glance in your direction, but the woman was still speaking with him, keeping him occupied. You’d made sure to keep your voice loud enough so that he could hear the bathroom excuse though, not wanting him to suspect anything. 

The guard nodded and began to guide you down the same hall Persilla had walked through. Then, to your relief, he stopped in front of the door she had disappeared behind, unknowingly making your life much easier. 

“Thank you,” you smiled at him before walking into the bathroom and closing the door behind you. You immediately began to survey the small space, taking in the toilet and small sink, but your brows furrowed when you failed to find your favourite black cat. 

You kneeled before the sink to open the cabinet underneath it, frowning when it also was empty. 

“Persilla?” You whispered, so silently you could barely hear yourself. 

That was when you took notice of the window beside the sink. It was high up and blurred, but what really made you pause was the fact that it was open. Perhaps Persilla had jumped out of it before you’d entered the room? If she was expecting you to follow her, though, she clearly underestimated your size…

You flinched backwards when she suddenly dropped from said window, paws soundlessly making contact with the tiles before she circled your form. When she was satisfied she sat in front of you, showing you her neck. Once again, wedged between her fur and collar, was a small folded piece of paper. 

“He better not make a messenger out of you,” you practically mouthed with a grumble before you reached out and slipped the note from her collar, unfolding it curiously. The handwriting was familiar as your eyes scanned through the words, though there was only one person the note could be from anyway. 

I heard he has a knack for detail, so I’m assuming that’s why it’s not done yet. No problem. But we really should meet soon, there’s something I need to tell you. (I would’ve let myself in now, but your husband is waiting right outside the door so I had to make good use of Persilla) 

~ H

P.S. I left you a little gift in the toilet tank. I think you might like it. 

Your brows furrowed at the last part, gaze immediately shifting to the toilet in the corner of the room. It was a standard two piece, one with a removable back cover that made it easier to access the tank. 

You pushed yourself off the tiled floor and made your way towards it before grabbing the heavy cover and hauling it upwards with a strained huff, eyes immediately scanning the inside. There were shiny metal pipes intersecting with each other and valves protruding in some places, but it was a black handle wedged between the mess that caught your eye. You grabbed it and pulled it out of the tank, easing the cover back into place with a smile. 

Finally…

Delight was all you could feel as you rotated the shiny new handgun in your hand, taking in its familiar shape. You pressed against the release button first, catching the magazine expertly in your other hand as it popped out of the handle and checked its contents. It was full of ammunition, allowing you to push it back into the gun in satisfaction. Then your attention shifted to the silencer that had been screwed into the gun’s barrel. It wouldn’t entirely silence a shot, but it was still better than nothing and it could definitely come in handy. He knew you well, didn’t he…

You unscrewed the silencer from the gun and then shoved both into the holster at your thigh, making sure to smooth over your dress quickly. One look in the mirror had you satisfied, even eyes like Jungkook’s wouldn’t be able to tell there was a gun concealed under here. He would have no clue what was coming. 

You crouched down to scratch Persilla’s chin, promising her some good salmon for being such a good girl, before she jumped out the window and scurried off. Unable to contain your own curiosity you walked over to the window and gave it a quick glance, but there was no one in sight. 

Just as you had been told, Jungkook was standing right outside the door when you opened it after flushing the toilet and washing your hands to give the illusion that you’d really used the bathroom. You weren’t surprised when you watched his eyes dart behind you to carefully scan the bathroom, but you knew there was nothing to see. Everything that mattered was now strapped to your thigh discreetly hidden underneath your dress. 

“Checking the bathroom after a lady uses it is a bit much, don’t you think?” You couldn’t help but comment, keeping your expression innocent as you noticed the guard standing patiently at the end of the hallway. 

Jungkook’s eyes narrowed in your direction, but there was an amused turn to his lips. You maintained your expression as you felt his arm wrap around yours and pull you closer, whispering the words into your ear as he began to guide you out of the house, “and trying to kill your husband isn’t?”

“A woman can’t have hobbies?”

He steered you along the street, passing by crowds of people who stood at a distance around the neighbourhood, as you both made your way back to the car. Because of that you had to keep a smile on your face as you spoke, despite the nature of your words. 

Jungkook raised an eyebrow to pair with his smile, aware of the crowd’s eyes on you both. There was no doubt that, through their eyes, you both looked like a nice couple speaking about nice things, far from the truth of course, “there are many husbands that wouldn’t be so understanding about your particular hobby. I think I deserve some credit.”

“Dead men don’t get credit.”

“Good thing I’m not dead yet, princess.”

You wished you could shoot him a nasty glare to wipe the cocky grin off his face, but you could only watch him innocently as he opened the door of the black car and waited for you to get in, an arm resting on the top of the car’s door nonchalantly. Taking the opportunity, you placed a hand on his shoulder, giving the impression that you were thanking him for the gesture, but instead said, “I wouldn’t count on that for long.”

Jungkook shut the door behind you in amusement after you sat in the car, ready to join you in the backseat until he felt his phone vibrate suddenly against his thigh. He stayed standing on your side of the car, resting a hand over its top as his other hand went to grab the phone out of his pocket and bring it to his ear. 

“What have you got for me?” He asked, casually surveying the area as he waited for a response. His brows furrowed when he heard the person on the other end of the line hesitate before he spoke. 

“Hello sir,” he finally said, to which Jungkook huffed, knowing whatever was about to be said wasn’t going to please him.

“Out with it, I don’t have all day.”

The man on the other end of the line sighed, “I was just contacted by the informant who has been working on what you ordered him to do…”

Jungkook frowned, remembering how he’d asked the informant to investigate your room and the man you’d been having hushed phone calls with before your marriage. He had wondered why it was taking the informant so long to get back to him, but Jungkook trusted the informant with his life, that’s why he had placed him in the Lee mansion in the first place. If things were being delayed, there was a reason. 

One that was about to be explained to him right now. 

“The informant just told me that he wasn’t able to identify the man.”

Jungkook’s grip on his phone tightened at the news, brows furrowing even further, “what?”

“He said he searched through Mrs. Y/N’s room from top to bottom, but was unable to find anything out of the ordinary, nor anything related to the mystery man. Then he traced her prior phone calls, but none led to anywhere significant. The only thing the informant was able to figure out was that the man goes by the letter H.”

Jungkook mulled over the information for a moment, tapping his finger against the hood of the car while deep in thought. H… that was practically nothing to go by. Why were you talking to a man that seemed so untraceable? What did he have to hide? What did you have to hide?

Jungkook’s jaw ticked. 

“What do you mean tracing the phone calls led to nowhere significant?”

“He explained that the locations were all scattered. Some were in the South, some were in the North, some were in the western and eastern regions, and a couple were even outside the country altogether,” he explained, then seemed to hesitate on his next words, “the informant mentioned that there were a couple locations that may seem slightly promising, but he admitted that he doubts they would prove to be very useful.”

“Tell him to send you the locations, and then send some men to check them out,” Jungkook said immediately.

His gaze dropped on you, who was already staring back at him from your seat. 

“That man is not a ghost. We’ll find him, whether he likes it or not.”

-

-

-

Unlike earlier, you nor Jungkook slept as the car raced through the highway, nothing but the darkness of night visible from outside of the window aside from the occasional streetlamp. You’d already been on the road for about an hour or two, the entirety of the trip drenched in silence. 

Jungkook clearly had something on his mind, you could tell from the way his eyes were clouded over in thought as they stayed glued to the window. You hadn’t been able to hear what he’d talked about on the phone, so you’d settled for deciphering his expressions. He’d seemed frustrated by something he’d been told, that was as much as you could make out. 

The weight of the gun on your thigh felt heavy, the need to grab it and use it itching against your fingers. Technically speaking, you had an opportunity right at this very moment. You could shoot Jungkook dead, bang on the divider to get the driver to stop the car, and then shoot him dead too before he put two and two together. It would be simple, and you’d also be able to run to the nearest sign of life and dramatically explain how a man associated with Park Jimin had hijacked the car and killed Jungkook and the driver, leaving you alive to relay the message. They’d buy that in a second. It would be perfect.

The only thing holding you back was the fact that you would have to kill the driver. Jungkook was a mafia leader, and mafia leaders were cruel and merciless. He deserved what was coming. But this driver… he was just a guy doing his job. He might even have a family waiting for him at home, and after the day you’d had, the thought of another family losing someone dear to them made you squirm in your seat.

Realistically, you knew your goal couldn’t be complete without the deaths of a few innocents. But even that thought wasn’t enough to get your fingers to grab the gun at your thigh. A frustrated breath escaped your lips at the lack of your action, one that of course, didn’t go unnoticed by Jungkook. 

“Someone seems frustrated,” he commented, the first time either of you have spoken after entering the car. You rolled your eyes, refusing to face him. But Jungkook continued to observe you intensely, giving you the impression that he wasn’t ready to let the conversation end so easily this time. 

“You know, you seem so adamant on killing me,” he said slowly, “if I’m going to have my wife perpetually working on my death, I think I at least deserve to know why she’s so passionate for the cause.”

It didn’t go over your head that he was suddenly so interested in your intentions after that ominous phone call, and you had no problem calling him out on it, “I heard you had an interesting phone call earlier. Maybe you should focus on that instead.”

“I am. I’m trying to find a pesky man that goes by the letter H, you wouldn’t happen to know him would you?”

You froze, surprise freezing your limbs as you wondered where Jungkook had gotten that name from. Had you messed up somewhere? You’d burned the first note you received and flushed the second down the toilet, so there was no way he could have gotten hold of them. Besides that, you’d never uttered his name out loud since marrying Jungkook. No, there was no way he could have found out from you. 

Jungkook smiled, as if reading your thoughts, “it seems you do.”

You shrugged, trying to collect yourself, “H knows everyone and no one.”

“But you know him better than others. Tell me, is he the reason you want me dead?”

You turned to meet his gaze, the taunt in your voice evident, “maybe you should find him and ask him yourself.”

“I will. He won’t be able to hide from me forever.”

You chuckled, answer instant, “doubtful.”

That made Jungkook tilt his head at you, an evident question. 

“He’s only found when he wants to be found. Otherwise, he’ll have you running in circles like a clueless pet.”

For some reason your words seemed to irritate Jungkook as you noticed his gaze narrow.

“You seem pretty fond of him.”

You didn’t answer, your gaze instead drifting back to the window. Up until now you’d been driving through a thick forest, the concrete road surrounded by enormous trees that seemed to extend into the sky. But the window on Jungkook’s side showcased the trees starting to dwindle, empty patches emerging in the thicket occasionally until they finally gave way to a grand view of the ocean. If you squinted your eyes enough you could make out a large docks system in the distance, full of enormous ships and warehouses. 

The view had caught your eye though, distracting you from the sorry excuse of a conversation you were having with Jungkook. It was the light that had initially caught your attention, more specifically the sheer intensity of it. The docks were lined with the same street lamps that were brightening the road you were currency driving on, yet it looked like someone dropped the sun into one of the warehouses. 

At first you thought perhaps you were overthinking it, but then Jungkook followed your line of sight, peering critically through the window for a moment before he suddenly sat up straight. It was then that you saw it as well; at the edge of one of the warehouses, a roaring fire was beginning to destroy everything in its vicinity. It was only visible now because it had moved on from behind the warehouse, engulfing the structure itself at an alarming rate. 

A sudden explosion shook the docks, so powerful that you could feel the vibrations of the shock despite your distance from the area. At that moment you felt the car screech to a stop, the momentum pushing both you and Jungkook painfully against your seatbelts for a split second, before Jungkook’s phone suddenly started to ring. 

He picked it up on the first bell, not bothering to hide the call from you this time. You could hear loud sounds erupt from the phone the second the line was accepted, a man’s voice barely audible above the chaos. 

“What’s going on?” Jungkook asked hastily, eyes glued to the wreck. He looked as if he wanted to jump out of the car and run to it, but the distance was far too large for him to get there at any reasonable time. 

The man on the other line grunted for a moment, yelling orders to another before he shouted, “sir! There’s been a few explosions at the West Docks! Three of our warehouses have been destroyed, we’re trying to staunch the flames in the fourth one at the moment!”

“Forget it,” Jungkook shook his head immediately, “order thirty guards to the area to make sure there aren’t any actual threats around and to help out with the flames. And take anyone who’s injured to the hospital right away.”

“Of course, sir!” The man on the other line shouted instantly, but then he hesitated before he spoke again, “but sir… who could have done this?”

Jungkook was silent, and you knew you both were thinking of the same man’s name. 

“Just do as I’ve said. I want the least amount of casualties possible.”

There was an incoherent sound on the other end of the line that resembled a “yes sir” before it went dead. Jungkook’s hand instantly went to brush through his hair, the gears in his head clearly working overtime as he seemed to be deep in thought. Before you could say anything though, his phone rang again and this time your eyes widened as you got a clear view of the caller ID. It was the man that you both were thinking of not even a full minute ago. 

Park Jimin. 

This time Jungkook did wait to pick up the call, instead staring at the screen for a few seconds longer than he should have. The silence in the car stretched, nothing but the sound of his ringtone reverberating throughout the small space, as you noticed his muscles tense under his black suit and the grip on his phone tighten to a point that you were sure it would snap the thing in half. This was probably the most tense you’d ever seen him look. 

Jungkook finally grabbed the handle of the door and threw it open, stepping out of the car without so much as a sound. You watched him close the door behind him, only pausing for a moment to say something to the driver before you watched him disappear into the thick forest on your side of the road, leaving you and the driver alone in a dark and empty road. 

Wow… he really did not want you to hear that conversation. 

-

-

-

Jungkook cut through the trees of the forest, the sound of his ringtone practically mocking him as he continued to walk way deeper than he knew was necessary. He couldn’t help it. Park Jimin’s mere name angered him, and cutting through the trees of the forest was helping him direct that anger onto something unimportant. Because he wouldn’t be able to let it out on Jimin. He had to be calm, collected, and even amused in front of that bastard, nothing that could give away just how well Jimin managed to get under Jungkook’s skin. 

But he eventually came to a stop, realising that he couldn’t go traipsing through the forest forever. The phone still vibrated against his hand as he relaxed his muscles, slipping into the Jeon Jungkook that was unbothered and coolheaded. The one that wouldn’t allow Jimin to have the upper hand because of his practically ancient anger.

Jungkook brought the phone to his ear and, finally, accepted the call.

The line was quiet for a second, as if Jimin expected Jungkook to say the first greeting, but he was just as quiet, forcing Jimin to be the conversation initiator. 

“Hello Jungkook, I was just calling to confirm if you received my gift or not.”

His voice was just as melodically taunting as Jungkook remembered it from years ago, the words instantly causing him to clench his jaw. But he relaxed it once again, knowing that he needed to stay clear headed.

“All that just for me? I must say you flatter me, Jimin.”

“How can I not flatter an old friend?” And Jungkook could practically hear the smile in his voice, knowing how much the mention of old friend would make his blood boil. It did, but Jungkook pushed down the feeling of strangling him through the phone.

“But to what do I owe the pleasure of this sudden gift?” He asked, knowing full well what the attack meant. But he was interested in how Jimin would explain it, whether he would put it plainly or jump around the topic like a coward. 

The line was silent for a second, as if Jimin were choosing which angle he wanted to go by, before he finally spoke again. 

“Why don’t we speak about it over dinner?“

Jungkook’s eyes widened in surprise, the words catching him off guard. How could Jimin be inviting him over to his territory so easily, after years of silent animosity? Sure, Taehyung and Yoongi have been at each other’s throats the past few years, Taehyung constantly having to fight off the Mins at his border, but the border between the Parks and Jeons have been silent, much like their leaders. 

Jungkook’s brows furrowed, “you’re inviting me to the Park Territory?”

“Yes, I believe it’s time we settle a couple things, don’t you think?”

Settle a couple things was much too ambiguous of a phrase for Jungkook to decipher. Did he want to sort out the terms for a war? Or was Jimin beyond morality now and instead going straight to setting a trap? Jungkook wasn’t really sure what Jimin was capable of after the warehouse of bodies he’d witnessed a week ago. 

His doubts kept him from speaking, allowing nothing but the serene sounds of the dark forest around him to fill the silence. Jimin seemed to sense his hesitance, letting the silence stretch for only a few moments before he chuckled into the line. 

“Come on, Jungkook. What will it be?”

-

-

-

This was an opportunity.

Currently, your husband was alone, surrounded solely by trees, in an environment dark enough that you could very much get away with shooting him dead and not being blamed for it. You wouldn’t even need to shoot the driver to cover up your tracks, lessening your guilty conscience to a decent amount. It was perfect. The only issue now, was how you were going to get into the forest without arousing suspicion. 

You tapped on the divider, waiting only a couple seconds before you pulled the panel down to reveal the professionally dressed driver. 

“Excuse me? I need to use the bathroom,” you announced, trying to sound as urgent as possible while simultaneously keeping your voice naive. 

The driver, on the other hand, looked as though you’d slammed him in the stomach with a sledgehammer. 

“Ma’am…” He spoke hesitantly, “you’ll have to wait.”

“But I need to go nowww,” you whined, trying to put every bit of spoiled brat into your voice as you could. Then you turned your face towards the forest Jungkook had disappeared into, widening your eyes to give the impression that an idea had suddenly popped into your head, before turning back to face him, “I know! I’ll just go in the forest very quickly.”

Without a response, you pushed the door open and stepped out, causing the driver to scramble out of the car as well, pure panic washing over his expression at your determination. 

“Please ma’am! I can’t let you go out there in the dead of night.”

“Why?” You asked, sporting a confused, and very much dumb, look, “it’s fine! I’ll just go towards my husband. He’ll protect me.”

The mention of Jungkook seemed to visibly calm the man, though there was still a lingering hesitance in his expression, “let me walk you to him.”

You waved him off, praying that he let you go without a fuss. You didn’t want things to get more complicated than they needed to be, or it wouldn’t end well for the man before you, “he’s right at the edge, don’t worry! I saw him and everything!”

You turned around and began walking towards the thicket of trees and, to your utmost relief, you didn’t hear the sounds of the driver following. 

It took you about a minute of walking through the forest to realise that Jungkook was, in fact, not at its very edge, which left you trekking deeper into the thicket of trees, squinting as your eyes adjusted to the surrounding darkness. You could hear the occasional sound of a bird, that strange humm that always seemed to be present in the wilderness, and the skittering of small animals against fallen branches, but there was no sound of your own expert footsteps to your satisfaction. Jungkook wouldn’t be able to hear what was coming. 

Once you’d created a considerable distance between yourself and the driver, to the point that you were certain he would no longer be able to catch sight of you, your innocent smile dropped, replaced immediately by a look of focus as you reached for the gun at your thigh. 

Your gaze wasted no time in surveying the darkened wilderness around you, flickering down only briefly to double check the magazine once again. Your surroundings were still empty of human life, no signs of Jungkook anywhere near you for the time being. Your brows couldn’t help but furrow, wondering why he’d decided to go hiking to take one phone call, even if it was from Jimin. 

You grabbed the silencer from your holster and began to screw it onto the barrel, strolling until you caught the faint sight of a dark silhouette in the distance. The sight had you crouching instantly, fingers still twisting the silencer into the barrel as you began inching closer to the figure, using the thick trunks of the trees to hide yourself from view. The closer you got, the more the silhouette began to shape into Jungkook, his black hair falling into his eyes as his gaze was directed downwards while one hand held his phone up to his ear. 

You finally hid yourself behind a tree that was directly to his right, letting go of the now fully attached silencer to instead rest your finger against the trigger guard. You were close enough that you could hear his end of the conversation now, one that seemed to have just begun.

“All that just for me? I must say you flatter me, Jimin,” he said, voice cool and collected, but you could see the fist his other hand had become. 

Something about Jimin got under Jungkook’s skin, that was clear enough to you by now. But you wondered, why? Jungkook seemed like a man that was unmoved by a challenge, enjoyed them even, according to your observations these past four days and also according to his reaction to your presence. And yet, small attacks and calls from Jimin were enough to move him? No… there was something deeper to this reaction, something personal between Jimin and Jungkook that you didn’t know about. Some sort of history perhaps?

“But to what do I owe the pleasure of this sudden gift?”

You shook your head, ridding yourself of the thoughts. It didn’t matter anymore. You were about to shoot Jungkook dead, making the answers to these questions useless for you. This little mission of yours was over. 

You watched a squirrel scurry down the trunk of a tree to your left, the small animal cloaked in the shadows of the darkness. Eager to get this over with, you placed your hand on the top of the gun, slowly pulling the slide backwards. At the exact moment you heard a click sound from your gun, the squirrel crashed into a pile of leaves, muffling the racking of your slide. Still, your gaze stayed fixed on Jungkook’s expression just in case as both your hands went to hold the handle. His brows were furrowed, but his eyes were still turned downwards, giving the impression that perhaps Jimin had said something he wasn’t expecting. 

Distantly you wondered what it could have been, but physically you brought your gun up from the side of the trunk, pushing the thought out of your mind. 

You felt all thoughts flow out of your head like they always did whenever you were aiming, this time your barrel pointing straight in the direction of Jungkook’s temple. When you saw a lack of any reaction from him, you knew it was over.

Your finger finally pressed against the trigger.

Goodbye, Jungkook.

“You’re inviting me to the Park Territory?”

You froze, your finger stalling as it pushed the trigger by about a third of its pathway, the words making your eyes widen in surprise. It had to be a misunderstanding, your luck couldn’t be so good - or would it be bad in this case? - that Park Jimin was inviting Jeon Jungkook over to his territory? 

You strained your ears, desperately trying to hear Jimin’s answer to the question. You even dangerously pushed your head forward a bit, risking being detected by Jungkook, but he was much too busy staring at the ground with slightly widened eyes to notice your form, clearly just as surprised as you.

You pulled back behind the trunk when you managed to make out a yes from Jimin’s end of the line, causing you to suck in a breath. 

This changed things. 

If Jungkook were to be killed in the Park Territory it wouldn’t just cause tensions between the northern territories, it would instantly cause all out war. Killing a leader while he was visiting another territory was a huge no no, no matter what region of the country you were from. It signified at least some form of ethics in a world that was so unethical, and surprisingly you’d never met a territory that didn’t honour that rule. To the point that when leaders broke that rule, it was instant chaos. All it would take was for Jungkook to die on Park soil for both the Jeons and Kims to retaliate with full force, no room for negotiations or apologies. 

And the best part was that, if Jungkook were to go, he would have to take you. Leaders always took their wives whenever they travelled or visited other territories to assert their power. If Jungkook ended up going to the Park Territory without you, he would give off the impression that he was scared he wouldn't be able to protect you should something go wrong, making him look weak. Mr. Perfect Image would never have that, especially in the face of the one person clearly trying to take over his territory. 

Now it all depended on his answer. 

Your handgun continued to stay pinned on Jungkook’s head, finger still pressing against the trigger as you watched him stare into the ground before him. You could practically see the gears turning in his brain, going over the advantages and disadvantages of his options while his lips were pressed into a firm line. Whether he survived or not tonight was all dependent on the answer he gave now.

You could feel your muscles tensing in anticipation, the natural sounds of the forest blurring into the background as you focused on the man before you. 

Jungkook’s head suddenly lifted, staring straight ahead of him as the chaos of his thoughts seemed to subside. You automatically adjusted your aim, preparing yourself before he finally spoke.

“Fine.”

Your finger instantly lifted off the trigger to let it bounce back into place, pairing with the sound of Jungkook ending the phone call. Your arm dropped to your side as the realisation washed over you. 

The decision had been made, you were going to visit the Parks. 

But one thing had become more clear to you at this very moment. You had just given up a good opportunity to end this man, one that may not show itself again, which meant you could not let it be in vain. No matter what happened there, no matter how you had to do it, Jungkook was dying in the Park Territory. There was no room for failure now, only the end of what needed to be done. 

You’d do anything to make sure of it. 

A/N: Things are about to get very physical 😏 Also comments, reblogs, and likes are appreciated!

[seffyriath]

people are so fucking weird about radahn on both sides and i'm tired of it so i'm going to set things straight about how to analyze things in context. i do not normally care about this guy, i am just taking a bold stance against people being wrong on the internet.

some fans insist that we get literally nothing about radahn, but the things that we do get say a lot about him already. we have all the information we need. one of the more popular takes outside of "radahn the chad" is that he's abusing leonard by keeping him for so long and if he actually cared about him he'd let him go. and i'm sorry, while i agree he comes across as sentimental and holding onto things for too long, the conclusion that some people go to is fucking stupid for a couple of reasons.

first, have you guys seen the other domesticated animals in the setting? they're not looking so good! look at the dogs, or the merchant's horses. they all look bad. wild animals seem to be doing okay, but domesticated animals don't seem to be doing too well in TLB, for whatever reason. the only good looking horse is Torrent, and that's because he's a ghost.

second, Radahn has rot brain. he has regressed to an animalistic state and is literally eating corpses. i'm sure he would be taking better care of his horse if he had full human cognition going for him?

people aren't like "aww, horsey" about him because they're ignoring his negligence, it's the fact that Radahn is zombified, but there is STILL something in him that is like "oh i need to use gravity. for my horse : )" and he's still holding the stars in place. that is like, the level of dedication that those dogs who wait for their dead owners have. it shows that if he is dedicated to doing a thing he normally won't falter on it, to the point where it's a body deep thing that is done automatically, that bypasses conscious thought. that says a TON about him with just the radahn festival and the earlier stuff we learn about gravity magic. a sticking to his principles kind of guy, you know?

[nathank77]

5/28/24

2:25 a.m

I mean idk if I'm going to respond to the only not fat white girl that messaged me first bc of her no kinks, Jesus christ my lord and savior, no kids/no desire to have kids or adopt, and of course her no car... being in New York, like I have the money to drive to her and then she wants vanilla sex and she doesn't even want children. I want kids.

I mean if I wanted to drop all my money on a girl I would have pursued Jenny harder. She was gorgeous. She had a car. We shared interests and I mean I stood a chance but I knew she wasn't going to marry me and I would have wasted a lot of gas and time driving to her (she had her own place) and I would have wasted a ton of money I didn't have. She wasn't the type of girl who would pay for a guy and I get it, most girl arent but being on disability I need a girl who isn't closed minded on this. Out of state doesn't work unless she comes to me. And being real, the economy is shit- I need a girl in state less than 40 miles away so I can pull my weight too.... cause everything is expensive.

One of the major reasons me and Katie didn't work was bc I wanted kids and she didnt. It was a big conflict for us. We didn't want the same things.

I mean the state and lack of car is enough. It's too bad she's cute. I could, "respect" her religion and just not engage but I'm not adding hundreds of my miles to my car driving to new York and spending hundreds on gas as well as hitting up car repairs from traveling to see her. She's got too many deal breakers..

Maybe I should just take it like this- she's cute and thin and sent the first message. Maybe a girl in ct who is cute and thin will send the first message soon. Someone who isn't a Bible thumper. Someone with a car. Someone who won't kink shame.. someone who wants kids.

I already stopped talking to the no body shots girl.. I mean I sent one message and she responded but I don't want to waste her time. She'll be like I'm "talking" to a guy, no you're being friend zoned. I mean why waste her time?

I would say my new pictures are working but only cause of the cute thin girl. I don't think I would have caught her eye if I hadn't changed my pictures up.. maybe a no glasses profile is in order. I was looking at this hot guy on fb and it's like when he isn't wearing glasses 😍 once he puts them on I'm like ehhh I can't see his beautiful blue eyes. I like to look at people. He is cis. I'm not interested nor is he, I met him through a friend nonetheless he is nice to look at.

Anyways:

This is my only other option:

I bet she didn't even click my link and if she did she didn't even give me 7 seconds. Lol

DESPERATE to leave Africa. She thinks I'm stupid in two ways- I'll give her, her green card and YouTube has analytics... I can see how people get to my channel and how long they watch. What they watch. When they watch. My gaming channel is dead as a door knob.. and it's weird, YouTube advertising stopped all of a sudden, it didn't show up on my analytics much but I haven't seen it in a while. Idk why YouTube was advertising me to begin with I thought Maybe it was her. But idk how anyone could pay for someone else's channel to get advertised anyways. So who knows?

YouTube had a questionnaire a while ago and asked basically if you're a minority and I put trans bc I am... and maybe that led them to advertise it? Idk

All I know is my channel is dead. My trans channel isn't popping like it was but it's still popping.

I don't get why my gaming channel doesn't get more love. When I look up let's say- silent hill 1 good plus alternate ending hard mode. I see like 5 minute videos of the actual ending playing. Or fan made videos commenting on it. It's hard to find complete playthroughs and guides. I have all the same tags and somehow all my videos get put into invisible land and I don't get it bc when I look up these tags I don't have competition. Not really. I have some. But not really especially on Playstation. Hdcp is hard to bypass.... and my content is special bc of that. I get full game guides up of the original games... and somehow I am in invisible land. Also my movement on silent hill is disgusting in a good way... it's too bad no one sees it

I could become the next big guy on YouTube if anyone could find my videos- beyond that I advertise my stuff the best I can between, Facebook (I can't spam obv), reddit, tumblr (I made a silent hill one and posted my video with tags) and then true achievements... I do try to put it out there.

All I know is my tags are good. And my content mostly silent hill is special compared to my competition.. like far cry anyone could post.. but not silent hill Playstation.. the games are rare and bypassing hdcp is hard.

I don't get why I get put into invisible land. Yea my camera is big but that's my watermark I got to protect my gameplay.

Most people can't make James move the way I can..I'd never post a silent hill game or any game without my camera at this point. The stuff I post is good and I can't let people steal my content. Even though no one is seeing it.

Beyond that I posted stellar far cry 2 content without my camera and I'm pretty sure someone stole it. Idk for sure all I know is it's possible and my tags are good... with my camera in the corner you can't steal my gameplay... steal my bo4 stuff idc cause you didn't do it and I'm not trying to be a professional cod multiplayer guy but that's all I'll post without my face in it and only cause I got my try hard face on lol

[vancekilo]

Curse of Strahd liveblog #2

I will refrain from making an Electric Boogaloo joke.

And then there were four... We had someone drop out. I'm pretty bummed about it but we were able to pick up two new players so that's cool! Our lineup for this session (June 30th) was...

Aspen the ??? Ranger

Ignacia the Aasimar Hexadin (aka me!)

Nadja the ??? Artificer

Stranger the ??? Rogue

We spent the night with the Vistani again. After being told a story by one of the men, we decided to check out what he'd told us. Basically, Strahd had a big fight with a wizard and the wizard fell into the Tser Falls and disappeared afterwards, leaving no trace of himself or a body beyond some residue from his spells. We spent a WONDERFUL amount of time deciding whether to approach the falls from the top or bottom before one of us realized the horses we bought would be hard pressed to climb the falls either way lol. So we ended up going to the bottom of the waterfall. Stranger rolled well and was able to swim to the bottom of the river and found some broken goggles, described as the kind that protect your eyes from sunlight sensitivity, but they are broken. I'm confused if these are supposed to be the wizard's? A wizard vampire? Wizire?

After that we decided to head to Valaki. On the way we heard a ton of wolves howling, and while we ended up bypassing them with a frankly appalling group stealth roll (I got a Nat 1 which put us at a measly 10), DM revealed that she'd rolled a *17*! to determine how many wolves. Wolves have pack tactics. I almost TPK'd us with a stealth roll. You're welcome, friends :)

After that we found a windmill that we were warned by a wereraven contained hags that people brought their children to in exchange for pies. Now, I might be in the minority, but that sounds like the pies are the children.

Also Aspen refused to not shoot the raven when she was a raven and I had to use my laying on of hands to heal her so she wouldn't, like, drop dead while explaining to us about the hags. Thanks, ASPEN.

After that we headed into Valaki proper. We talked our way in after noting more wolves, but in the form of heads on pikes outside the walls (pikes more like yikes am I right fellow teens?)

This is where it gets funnier because there is just a certain type of NPC that I love to be a dick to. It's a curse, honestly, but I can't help it. We ended up going to the Baron's house after seeing fliers his men were putting up, advertising different festivals. The wolf's head on a pike festival and the blazing sun festival.

So the Baron's been throwing festivals daily? weekly? hourly? in an attempt to get his people to lift their spirits and to bring back "the light". I just... Or rather, Ignacia, just could not wrap her mind around this. She kept trying to get him to build a school. I know I was annoying my fellow party members but I couldn't let it go. You know what makes kids happy? FOOD AND EDUCATION. I'm not sorry!!

Like, yes, he wants to help the "mist-touched" among his people but like, if they don't have souls I don't think fried dough is gonna do anything.

Anyway we wrapped back around to the pies and the Baron brought us two. Ignacia went to take a nibble to see if it was human flesh. Or child flesh, as she said, which made Nadja question 1. Why does Ignacia know what human flesh tastes like and 2. Is there a difference between adult and child? Shush. You don't know what Ignacia's done in her life >:(

Anyway Ignacia is now addicted to dream pies, Stranger pinged as "really fuckin' weird" when Aspen used her primeval awareness to check the town for undead, and the second pie is in Aspen's bag... calling to Ignacia... eat me...

And that's all for session 2! Next week we'll be intro'ing two new party members. I'm excited to see what they bring to the table!

Have a lovely 4th of July if you don't celebrate it, and have a terrible one if you do.

[itsclydebitches]

V8’s loss is so baffling to me. V3’s loss was disheartening because the heroes did all that they could, but the atmosphere spoke that this wasn’t going to end well. V8 had “Everything is going great!” then Salem and Cinder won…just because!

Pairing these two asks up!

Okay, so we all understand on a plot level why the group lost: Cinder arrived unexpectedly, Neo "kills" Yang, Penny takes a critical hit, the lost Staff obliterates the walkways, etc. There are a ton of reasons why the execution of that plot is stupid imo–How did the group just forget about two of their longest running enemies? How did Neo's single sword hit break Yang's aura and knock her across the walkway and put her into a semi-unconscious state so she couldn't save herself? Why is Jaune, the healer, so easily swayed into killing Penny?–but if we're willing to just go with it, fine. Makes sense. The final two episodes do, in some ways, reflect the tone of Volume 3. Both started on incredibly hopeful notes, only to end in failure. "It's the Vytal festival! We've always fought and come out on top, we can do this! ... omg wait, Pyrrha is dead, Beacon is gone, and Yang has lost an arm." From "We have a plan now! We're implementing it! We always manage to save people in the end! ... omg wait, Team RWBY is dead, Jaune is dead, Penny is dead, two Relics are gone, and our civilians are getting picked off by desert grimm." If we're willing to be very generous in regards to that execution... I buy it. The group nearly succeeded in keeping everyone safe, but the villains screwed things up. We've seen it happen before.

What doesn't work for me–where I think the real problem lies–is in why the heroes were fighting this fight in the first place. I don't mean that in the grand scheme of things (like, why fight Salem) but in the literal, immediate battle that they wound up losing. This isn't a Volume 3 situation where the villains attacked the heroes, they defended themselves, they lost. This situation came about because the heroes were trying to transport an entire Kingdom's worth of people across a deadly walkway. So why were they doing that?

...and that's where we run into the snags.

See, none of the motivations across Volume 8 add up. Yeah, we've discussed Ironwood to death, but it's the same with everyone else too. Ruby initially told Yang that she wanted to use Amity not just to warn other people about Salem, but to call for help. She reiterates this during the staircase talk: I'm childish and I wasted everyone's time because I thought people would come and then they didn't (which, frankly, is not what Ruby should be criticizing about her own leadership, but I digress). So my question is, what was Ruby planning to do with that help? Let's say the other Kingdoms broke all internal logic and did manage to get there to help Atlas. What in the world does "help" mean in this instance? What was her plan once they got there? Ruby acts as if she's just very, very broadly planning to fight Salem with this desired assistance, but then she doesn't fight her. Not just in terms of staying inside when Salem's army attacks, but also in terms of remembering that she has access to a Relic that can create anything... but then using that to run, not try and face Salem down.

Ruby's entire stance isn't just that Ironwood is evil for leaving others behind, but that he's wrong to run at all. She emphasizes that Atlas is just Salem's first target, implying that it's foolish to Kingdom hop when she'll just turn around and attack them somewhere else instead. There were a number of compelling reasons for why they should have left when Ironwood suggested it. We can continue to debate the ethics of that until the end of time. But for the purposes of this conversation, the important takeaway is that by the time Ruby decides to leave, there are even more compelling reasons not to go. By this point they have learned that Salem isn't interested in Mantle at all, only the Relics/Maiden housed in Atlas. By this point they have destroyed her whale, cutting her off from a huge portion of her army. By this point they have turned two of her subordinates against her, as well as obliterating her for a time. By this point they know that Oscar still has some amount of energy left in the cane, giving them another weapon to use against her. By this point everyone has been evacuated to the crater, meaning the heat is no longer a threat. By this point the Hound is dead. By this point they're about a half hour away from capturing Ironwood and saving Penny.

To top it all off, yeah, they don't juDst move everyone from the Kingdom of Atlas, they d is anywhere nearby... the threat is gone. It makes absolutely no sense to me why, at this point in time, after everything else they've succeeded in, after Ruby was waiting on an army of her own, after she reminded everyone that nowhere is safe, they would just up and move an entire Kingdom's worth of people. What's the point of this goal? Based on what we see–based on what the characters know–everyone in Mantle would be safer at home with some hacking assistance to get the heat back on. The people of Atlas would be safer provided the group takes those magical Relics, their Maiden, their Silver Eyes and skedaddles. Why the group decided to move the entire Kingdom when they could have just gone to Vacuo themselves, taking everything Salem wants with them, makes no sense to me. It could have very easily made sense if they'd evacuated at the beginning of Volume 8, or if we established something like Salem's intention to murder everyone if the heroes run... but we didn't get anything like that. So we just have the heroes putting civilians through increasingly dangerous situations (deadly walkway, Cinder's attack, dangerous desert, overpopulation in a hostile city) for seemingly no reason. All while bringing the Staff with them so it can get captured too. The group's decisions of who/what should be where all come across as backwards to me.

To top it all off, yeah, they don't jut move everyone from the Kingdom of Atlas to Vacuo, they sacrifice the Kingdom in order to move them. I've said before that I stand by Robyn's observation that the people are more important than the place, but as established, the point is that this sacrifice never needed to happen. We desperately needed the show to establish not just why the group feels like evacuation is still the best option after so much has changed, but why that reasoning is powerful enough to justify the entire Kingdom's destruction. Because–finally getting around to your point, Anon #2–it's not just about losing a place you're used to living in. It's about the loss of everything Atlas provided for the world: the Dust, the tech, and yes, even the army. It's easy to reduce Atlas to that racist Kindgom wooo glad it's gone... but canonically we have so many characters with positive connections to it. The disability angle is just one, particularly disheartening example. I have no doubt that the show will ignore the logical consequence of the Kingdom's destruction... just like it ignored Yang receiving the arm as a gift, just like Maria's eyes were turned into a joke, just like Penny had to be given a flesh body in order to understand how nice hugs are. Yes, the people and their knowledge live on (if Pietro survived), but they no longer have the resources to provide that work. If helping the rest of the world even makes their top ten priority list when trying to survive homelessness.

The point isn't that the group can't go through with that act, the point is to justify the act for us through their perspectives and have them grapple with what a huge, world-changing decision it is. The fact that no one, but especially Weiss, so much as blinked at this decision, especially when the decision comes across as in many respects unnecessary, is crazy to me. I'd be so much more on board with this choice (even with the "Why are we still evacuating?" question) if the group had a solid plan in place to finish before Atlas touched down on Mantle, they were shown ensuring everyone actually had a portal to use, they demonstrated basic intelligence in remembering the two villains they fought in the last 48 hours (Penny fought Cinder, all of JNOR fought Neo), and were allowed to fight with their canonical strength and skill. Then it really would be a case of the group doing everything right... but still losing, simply because the villains were better. AKA, a Volume 3. As it stands, their reasons for doing this are shaky, thus they don't justify this incredible sacrifice, the group comes across as incompetent for much of the battle, and their total disinterest in what this will do to the rest of Remnant doesn't come across as particularly heroic. That kind of sacrifice needs to be attached to a "We had no other choice" situation. Problem is, they bypassed that moment at the end of Volume 7. By the end of 8, they absolutely had other choices.

Disability has no meaning in RWBY anymore. I think it did–back in Volume 4, Volume 6 when Maria was first introduced–but now the story has reduced disability to something "extra," something to fix, or something to outright ignore. Yeah, we can think about the long-term consequences for disability across Remnant, but at the end of the day, the story entirely forgot about the blind and paraplegic characters trapped on a broken tower. These problems, sadly, run a whole lot deeper than RWBY potentially not capitalizing on the impact of destroying 1/5th of the world.

[grigori77]

Summer 2021′s Movies - My Top Ten Favourite Films (Part 1)

The Runners-Up:

20.  LUCA – I’ll admit I really wasn’t sold on Disney/Pixar’s coming-of-age fantasy comedy, which revolves around a pair of young sea monsters living off the coast of the 1950s Italian Riviera, who discover they can assume human form when they dry out and go on land on a quest of discovery.  Thankfully the strong reviews convinced me to give it a chance – this is a frothy and irreverent romp through an exotically nostalgic world filled with Vespas, pasta-eating contests and found families that’s fun for kids of all ages.

19.  FAST & FURIOUS 9 – the high concept action franchise may be bursting under the ever-increasing weight of its own ludicrousness, but it’s still TONS of fun, packed with stunning over-the-top action, colourful globe-trotting and a loveable bunch of misfits we’ve grown incredibly fond of over the past TWENTY YEARS.  This time Dom (the irrepressible Vin Diesel) and the team are up against ruthless hi-tech mercenary Jakob (John Cena), a lethal jack-of-all-trades with a dark connection to the Toretto name.

18.  REMINISCENCE – Westworld co-creator Lisa Joy’s attempt to make it on the big screen looks set to go down as one of the biggest cinematic flops of 2021, which is a shame because the feature-debuting writer-director has crafted a genuinely fascinating speculative sci-fi noir detective thriller.  Set in a darkly dystopian future in which Global Warming has caused the sea levels to rise and society to start breaking down, it tells the story of Nick Bannister (Hugh Jackman), a former soldier who ekes out a living using revolutionary tech to help the idle rich relive their fondest memories, until a life-changing mystery from his own past resurfaces, threatening to tear his whole world apart.  Frustratingly, it looks like most audiences are going to bypass this, which is a criminal loss.

17.  FREE GUY – after a seven year hiatus, Night at the Museum director Shawn Levy returns to the big screen in fine form with this deliriously inventive fantastical comedy adventure about Guy (a typically on-fire Ryan Reynolds), an NPC in an anarchic, Grand Theft Auto style MMORPG called Free City who discovers his own sentience after falling in love with Millie (Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer), a player with a hidden agenda that puts them both at odds with the game’s nefarious creator, Antwan (a thoroughly hilarious Taika Waititi).

16.  EVANGELION 3.0 + 1.01: THRICE UPON A TIME – visionary anime creator Hideaki Anno brings his long-running sci-fi saga to a close with this fourth instalment to his wildly ambitious cinematic “Rebuild” of cult TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion. It’s as frothy, melodramatic and bonkers as ever, packed full of weighty themes and crazy ideas, while the animation maintains this series’ ridiculously high levels of quality and the action is as explosive as ever, and Hideaki brings the whole mad mess to a climax that’s as rich, powerful and thoroughly befuddling as the saga deserves.

15.  THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD – Sicario writer Taylor Sheridan returns to the director’s chair (after impressive debut Wind River) with this intense and enthralling suspense thriller adapted by bestselling author Michael Koryta (along with Sheridan and Blood Diamond’s Charles Leavitt) from his own acclaimed novel. Angelina Jolie is (ahem) fiery but fallible as haunted smokejumper Hanna Faber, whose PTSD drives her to protect a desperate boy (Finn Little) who’s being hunted through the wilds of Montana by a pair of relentless assassins (Aidan Gillen and Nicholas Hoult).

14.  CRUELLA – far from the clunky cash-in retcon many were predicting, Disney’s ambitious black comedy crime caper does a thoroughly admirable job in delivering this fascinating and deeply compelling reimagining of the story of rogue fashion designer Cruella de Vil (one of the best performances I’ve ever seen Emma Stone deliver, hands down), the dastardly villainess of 101 Dalmatians. She’s certainly far more complex here, no longer a raging monster, but far from a whitewashed PC apologist, either, much more of a morally grey antihero with a very wicked dark side – then again, with I, Tonya director Craig Gillespie at the helm it’s not really a surprise.  Richly designed and dripping in spectacularly adventurous period detail, this is an divine romp from start to finish.

13.  THE GREEN KNIGHT – the latest feature from writer director David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saits, Pete’s Dragon, The Old Man & the Gun) is as offbeat and unusual as you’d expect from a visionary filmmaker with such a wildly varied CV.  Adapting the fantastical chivalric romance Sir Gawain & the Green Knight, he’s crafted what’s surely destined to be remembered as the year’s STRANGEST film, but it’s a work of aching beauty and introspective imagination that sears itself into the memory and rewards the viewer’s patience despite its leisurely pace.  Dev Patel is unbearably sexy and wonderfully complex as Gawain, while Sean Harris delivers show-stopping support with stately charisma and world-weary integrity as King Arthur.  This film is sure to divide opinions as well as audiences, but I think it’s a bona fide masterpiece that must be seen to be believed.

12.  CANDYMAN – after watching this wildly imaginative and frequently gut-wrenching soft-reboot/sequel to Bernard Rose’s acclaimed adaptation of Clive Barker’s short story The Forbidden, I feel supremely confident about emerging writer-director Nia DaCosta’s coming MCU breakout with The Marvels.  Wisely papering over the clunky previous sequels, this streamlined trailblazing deep dive into the pure horror of the legend of the righteously mad spectral killer haunting the Chicago housing ghetto of Cabrini-Green sees a daring modern artist (Aquaman’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) find his latest project turning into a dangerously self-destructive obsession. Writer-producer Jordan Peele’s fingerprints are all over this, but DaCosta clearly shows signs that she’s going to be a hell of a talent to watch in the future.

11.  THE WITCHER: NIGHTMARE OF THE WOLF – I wouldn’t normally shout about an animated spinoff to a TV series like this, but I was SO INSANELY IMPRESSED with this brilliant prequel to Netflix’ popular fantasy show (which clearly intends to lay some origin story groundwork for the impending second season) that I just can’t help myself. Recounting the backstory of Geralt of Rivia’s own Witcher mentor Vesemir, this beautifully expands on the already compelling universe the series has created, as well as delivering some breath-taking thrills and chills through some of the most exquisite cell animation I’ve ever seen outside of the greats of anime.  A must-see for Witcher fans, then, but one I’d also highly recommend to anyone who likes their animation a bit more grown-up and edgy.

[maswartz]

Power Rangers Pirate Legends Set Sail

In space there is a legend of a ghostly ship. Captained by a cruel necromancer. Captain Necruel! It is said that when his ship was damaged by crossfire during a battle a Dark Spirit appeared to him and offered him a way to live. Necruel accepted and was turned into his current form, the spirit gave him the Eye of the Netherworld to use to get vengeance…. On the way to the Empire homeworld Doc, Lewis, and Zinda make two important breakthroughs. First they upgraded the Pirate Ranger Keys so that they can still use the power of past teams (however if the original Ranger is morphed at the time the Pirate Ranger cannot use that power until they demorph). Second they create a new Ranger Key, The Purple Privateer Ranger Key.

Zinda- 29- Purple Privateer Ranger- A classmate of Doc’s from the IIoS. She escaped the attack on the school and arrived on Earth where she found work in a repair shop. She reunited with Doc and helped repair damage to the Pirate Megazord. She would go on to assist the team many times before finally gaining a Ranger Key of her own. On the way to the Stellar Empire’s homeworld after the fall of the empire Lewis and Doc created the Purple Privateer powers for her. She uses the Condor Speeder as her personal zord and it gains a megazord form. Face Claim: Naya Rivera On the Empire homeworld the Pirate Rangers raid the Empire treasury and recover all the relics and artifacts (as well as a ton of money they take for themselves… they are pirates after all) The Pirates take it upon themselves to return the relics to the rightful owners. On their first stop they arrive on Grifforzar and are approached by a winged warrior (using the Neo Griffozar suit from Kyoryu Vs Go-Bust). Upon seeing him Lewis believes it’s Goldar and pulls out his weapon. The warrior explains that the Griffors are a race of honorable warriors and that Goldar was the exception. To this day they are haunted by the shame of his crimes as evidenced by Lewis’s reaction. After apologizing the group gets a horrible surprise. Goldar approaches. He has a squad of ghostly figures armed with scythes. These are the Reapers. The Rangers and the warrior engage Goldar in battle and defeat him, when he falls a giant eye appears in the sky and shoots him with energy causing him to grow, when they defeat him once more the eye appears again and seems to absorb his explosion. This pattern continues for a while, the Pirate Rangers return a relic and are confronted by an enemy thought dead. They travel to the world of Rangers and other Heroes (The rangers are some of the teams I’ve already covered and the other heroes I’ll cover in separate files) Each time the eye appears again. Each revived monster claims they are seeking vengeance. Finally during a battle with Darkonda the Pirate Rangers meet Captain Necruel. The ghostly captain tries to use the eye on Lewis. It seems that after the hit and run Lewis’s heart briefly stopped. A situation Necruel seeks to exploit. However Lewis resists and as he does his Silver Ranger Key and his Gold Anchor Key emerge and glow and become one. Lewis uses it and the Anchor Armor descends like usual however this time his visor turns a shining silver and the gold armor becomes one with his suit. Lewis has morphed into the Golden Pirate Ranger! Necruel admits defeat and retreats leaving Darkonda to face Lewis’s new power. He presses two buttons on his morpher and to his left and right the symbols of the Green Dragon and White Tiger Rangers appear and pull back revealing the respective Rangers. With a point at the enemy the Energy Clones attack. Lewis then uses the new key to activate his Final Wave attack. Above him a golden sun forms and Lewis rises his blaster. The sun attaches to the end of the blaster and Lewis shoots the Golden Solar Blast at Darkonda destroying him. However after beating him with the DrillRex Megazord Lewis passes out. A vision of Zordon reveals why, when he uses the Golden Ranger Key he taps directly into the Morphing Grid bypassing all safeties to do so. The human body cannot handle such power for long periods of time. Upon hearing this Marvelous talks to Doc and Zinda to discuss a project to take the burden off of Lewis. On the next planet the Pirate Rangers encounter a monster made from remains of footsoldiers that the Rangers of Earth have defeated. He calls themself Legion. Legion is one of Necruel’s Gravengers. The Pirates meet the other four soon. Tatauros- A bull like gladiator cheated out of his final victory and his life. Centeen- A centaur freedom fighter betrayed by one of her followers and executed Solien- A scientist who was forced to create an artificial sun to use as a weapon but used it on himself to keep his captors from using it as a weapon. Scorpiter- A scorpion like warrior who fought when her homeland was being taken over and fell in battle. Eventually Doc and Zinda finish their project. The Red Captain Ranger Key. A battlizer for Captain Marvelous. Red Captain Ranger- An armored version of the classic pirate captain. Full of the power of the previous Red Rangers from Earth (MMPR-Bushido) With these new powers at their disposal the Pirate Rangers begin to defeat the Gravengers and continue to destroy the revived villains. Finally Marvelous destroys Legion forcing Necruel to unleash his trump card and combine the remaining four Gravengers into a massive warrior named NOTOO (anyone who gets what those four and the combined form are a reference for gets a cookie) After a fierce battle Notoo falls, realizing the time had come Necruel lures the Rangers to the Dead System. A solar system where all life was destroyed after a weapon of war went out of control extinguishing the very sun. Finally the Pirate Rangers board Necruel’s ship and defeat him, however Necruel begins to laugh. He reveals that the Eye of the Netherworld has been collecting the energy created when a monster is destroyed. This has all been for a single purpose. Before revealing that reason Necruel reveals the legend was wrong. It wasn’t a Dark Spirit he made a deal with. IT WAS A DARK SPECTER! At those words Lewis urges a quick retreat. Indeed all the energy has been collected to restore Dark Specter to life! The ghostly ship is pulled apart by the Eye as Dark Specter tears a hole in the universe to pull himself out of the Netherworld. During the long battle the Rangers have to deal with villains attempting to escape the Netherworld while fighting Dark Specter himself. Eventually they get an idea and taunt the stronger villains that if Dark Specter escapes he’ll leave them all to waste away. Enraged the dead villains turn on Specter distracting him enough for the Rangers to push him back and destroy the opening. Dark Specter falls once more. On the way back to Earth they get a call from Cody. Cody reveals that much has changed while they were gone. The satellites used to broadcast the signal to rebel are now used to allow communication across the universe! Furthermore Earth has opened its arms to alien visitors and those seeking to live on Earth. Already at least 100 have moved to Earth. There is also a plan to create warp stations in every system to allow quick transportation throughout the universe! The universe has gotten bigger and smaller at the same time. The universe is changing… ———————– Set Sail Files The Space Sheriffs Elemental Squad The Silver Spider Ultraman ———————– MISC Each Pirate Ranger (and Dresk) have their own leitmotif song Marvelous- The Pirate in Red (invokes images of epic fights on pirate ships) Dresk- Give to Gain (a version of TPIR reversed) John- The Blue Swordsman (invokes images of sword fights) Lucy- The Yellow Bandit (stealthy quick song) Doc- The Green Scientist (techno beat) Zinda- Purple Science (remixed version of TGS) Amanda- Pink Princess (starts out royal and elegant and ends more adventurous and yet still elegant) Lewis- The Legacy (starts soft at first as Lewis is unsure of himself as a ranger especially compared to all who came before him, but by the end is triumphant as he has blazed a trail for those who follow) Relationships Marvelous- Thinks of his crew as if they were his own family. Knows for a fact that John is more than capable of taking him down in an instant. John- Sometimes annoyed by the antics of the others (especially when Marvelous gets drunk) but is willing to lay his life down to protect them all. In a relationship with Amanda by the end Lucy- Has a sisterly relationship with Amanda though sometimes wishes she wasn’t so fancy about everything. In a relationship with Lewis by the end. Doc- Amused by Lewis’s reaction to most things. Felt out of place among the crew until Amanda arrived. In a relationship with Zinda by the end. Amanda- At first is disgusted by Marvelous but learns quickly that the man makes himself sound worse than he is. So is drawn to John’s serious attitude. Relieved and thankful that the crew treats her as Amanda and not as a Princess. In a relationship with John by the end. Lewis- Looks up to the Captain and John. Enjoys hanging out with Doc (he dubs him DD upon learning his real name). In a relationship with Lucy by the end. Zinda- Gets along nicely with Lewis having spent more time on Earth then the others. In a relationship with Doc by the end. Fates of the Pirate Rangers Marvelous- He travels the universe in the ship offering his services when needed (be it transporting researchers or sightseers or adventurers) Misses the crew but knows he can quickly travel to them to see them again. Eventually gives his Red key to a stowaway named Scarlet making her the new Red Pirate Ranger while he uses the armor of the Red Phantom to continue his legacy

Scarlet- Second Red Pirate Ranger- 27- An escaped slave who stowed away on the ship after the team parted ways. Marvelous took pity on her and helped her get away from her pursuers. By the time of the first Universal Union conference she’s his first mate and the second Red Pirate Ranger. Face Claim: Karen Gillian John- Becomes the captain of the guard on Momos and eventually the King. Lucy- Lives on Earth with Lewis and spends a lot of time volunteering at an orphanage Doc- Opens a repair shop with Zinda and enjoys every moment. In his spare time he and Zinda try to create better prosthetics to heal those hurt by the Empire. Amanda- Crowned Queen of Momos she appoints John as the captain of the guard, he will one day sit on the throne next to hers. Lewis- Returns to finish school (he had dropped out of college prior to his accident) Lives with Lucy. Zinda- Opens a repair shop with Doc and also enjoys every moment. In her spare time she and Doc try to create better prosthetics to heal those hurt by the Empire. Thanks to the Pirate Rangers a new age has dawned across the universe. An age of unity and peace. Of hope and possibilities. (Bios by @dream-chef-flavors and @rosegrl18) Power Rangers Pirate Legends <————-Powerverse—————> Power Rangers Biotec Busters

[mikey027-blog1]

The Undesirables Settings

1.Santa Monica city and beach in California 2. Haven under the Pacific Ocean waters near Santa Monica 3. Open expanse of the Pacific Ocean 4, Cloud Nine- Concealed island in the sky by magic and supported by clouds that change color constantly. The magic of the place is said to give the clouds this mysterious yet breathtaking look. The island is only visible to those The Whisperers allow passage to there home. The island has huge mansion that houses The Shroud Coven(protectors of the order of all life, natural or unnatural or supernatural. Apart from the mansion are 4 other buildings that are look out points for the place and also separate homes for The Whisperers. usually new recruits house in these other buildings. The main mansion is in the center island with the 4 houses being north, east, west, and south of the main island on separate slightly smaller islands also warded with magic and supported by clouds that change color. Each island has a bridge made of golden energy that connects the islands and only appears as soon as someone gets ready to walk on it. Finally, surrounding the mansion and other islands are floating runes with glowing sigils on them that act as defense mechanisms for the place, activating when trespassers attempt to invade. 5. Palisades Park 6. Pacific Park Amusement Park 7. Loof Hippodrome Carousel 8. Ocean Avenue 9. Montana Avenue 10. University of California 11. Third Street Promenade(shopping malls, movie screens, restaurants, 3-block stretch) 12. Bergamot Station(known for art galleries) 13. Muscle Beach(outdoor gym near pier) 14. Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

15.  Vermillion- A underground city in Montana that can somehow shift it's location on a regular basis, making it rather difficult to always know the exact location of this city. It does this by a combination of magic and a huge mechanical contraption that rotates the whole city underground to a whole other location. On top of that there are multiple tunnels underground leading to dead ends and only one that leads to the true location of Vermillion making almost all of Montana's underground a epic labyrinth which also shifts and changes as the city rotates to a new location. The city is mainly run by Werewolfs and Lycan's who are more evolved versions of the typical werewolf. Other residents consist of the tougher and more ferocious of supernatural beings like Vipers(snake like people) or Droglins(winged bull like creatures with there wings actually being long extended bones sprouting from the back almost like tentacles that they use as a means of defense from attackers. They can grab from far away and also have sharp end points that can pierce through most things easily.). Its harder for these creatures to maintain a human like form and therefore have help from The Shroud Coven to conceal there true appearance from humans. The Vermillion residents are a tough and rowdy bunch but still not murderers unless absolutely necessary with the exception of a few who fell under the influence of the mark.

16.  Aquarius- Underwater city of the mermaids and any other aquatic supernatural beings located relatively close to Haven but far deeper in the waters where it's pitch black for no light can travel far enough to reach the city. However, the place is surrounded by tons of glowing jellyfish that act as a light source for the city as well as multiple aquatic plants and fungi that each have a unique glow about them. Aquarius is one of the prettiest of all supernatural city's. The architecture there is to be said something to behold as it is different then anywhere else on Earth. As they very rarely ever go above to dry land, they hardly have concern for concealing themselves but when they must travel abroad they can easily hide there fin and gils and maintain a human form. Shulks(hammerhead shark looking humanoid creatures) and Horus's(semi-humanoid creatures made of seaweed and other underwater plant-life and vegetation that are sometimes up to 15 feet tall and have floating stones as eyes that glow a yellow bright light that act like flashlights) all sometimes take shelter in Aquarius as well. For the cities defense it can create a water dome that looks like giant waves surrounding the place, making it nearly impossible to pass, the waves circulating so fast that anyone or anything attempting to pass would get whisked away. Stone giants known as Leviathans make this happen and if that does not work they act as huge guardians. Covered in odd markings and lines in there bodies, they only activate when danger is near and when this happens there markings glow white. If one is taken down, it breaks down to smaller versions of itself, still able to maneuver and fight. This keeps happening, making it very difficult to bypass them, making Aquarius one of the safest supernatural cities.

17.  Haven- One of the smallest supernatural sanctuaries, acting more of a school for younger supernatural beings and being a waypoint for others actually trying to get somewhere else but seeking a rest or break or temporary refuge. However Haven is considered one of the best hangout locations for supernatural beings as all is welcome there while in most other places accept only certain types of supernatural beings. Being in California where finding fun and a good time is no issue, most love Haven when traveling. Haven itself is a huge underwater facility that resembles a university. Like most places, it is warded with magic and other means to conceal it's appearance. The only means of entrance to this place is actually located at the Santa Monica Pier where there is a old out of order and poorly looking telephone booth. One walks in and acts as if they are making a call and someone on the other end with magic will project there voice into the device and ask them a certain question in which they must give the right answer and then be allowed passage. Suddenly the world gets literally turned upside down by what the person sees anyway which is actually a illusion and next second sees themself underwater somehow breathing and even able to walk rather then swim as if on a flat surface and Haven directly in front of them. With the rest of the ocean surrounding the person, water walls are formed around the person to form a corridor that leads to Haven's entrance. the water walls are translucent and you can vaguely still see the rest of the ocean beyond them. Once the person enters the facility, the corridor of water submerges and becomes part of the rest of the ocean once more. Once inside the first thing you would see is a huge room that is the main hub of the building and has a see through glass floor where you can peer at the ocean and its life and even the walls.

18. Plains of Alyssia(Heaven)- A vast wide open area of land in Heaven where its appearance differs to the viewer based on what is appealing to them and what there heart desires to see. For example, one person could be seeing him or herself on a mountain overlooking a huge valley while someone else could be in a winter wonderland or someone else in a desert like prairie full of cactus’s and tumbleweeds. Spirits known as Willows inhabit the area and act as sorta caretakers of the place and watchers. Willows at first appear to look like floating balls of energy with one eye but they quickly take form of basically anything, mainly animals by using things within there surroundings. For example, a willow could look like a wolf but made from water or even just sticks and leaves floating in the air to create a wolf like form. This place is like one huge park in Heaven where its residents can walk around freely and be in any kind of atmosphere and setting they desire. The area is named after one of the first miracles that has ever existed, Alyssia who was said to be so pure of heart that she literally did not commit even one sin within her lifetime, whether this is actually true or not is unclear as nobody has ever been able to strive perfection but either way whoever this person was must have been a truly kind hearted and loving soul.

19 Handelaar- Meaning trader in the  Afrikaans language, this place acts as a trading post for supernatural beings.  A excellent place for mainly witches who are looking for ingredients and such for potions or concoctions but also a place that has all kinds other things such as a blood bar for vampires of choices of human or animal blood, or talismans powered by magic, really anything any supernatural being would need.But gaining entry is often difficult as you have to find a trickster to help get you there. Tricksters are like mini versions of God, very powerful and can even create there own realities. one trickster in particular created Handelarr and due to all tricksters sharing one mind as if one person, all other tricksters are also aware of how to get into Handelarr. Trickster’s all love business and also being important and the center of attention. But due to there immense power, witches long ago banded together to find all the tricksters of the world, with there not being many, only 10 and finding a way to subdue there power whenever they attempt to use it to harm anyone. They are only allowed to use there power to help others now rather then cause chaos. Due to how hard it is to gain entry into Handelarr, whenever someone is allowed access sent there most stay for a long time to stock up on plenty of things they may need before leaving. Technically getting into Handelarr is the hard part but once in you could potentially stay there forever if you wished. Handelarr is its own reality, meaning it is not part of Earth. It is a unusual place, the trading post being a huge city surrounded by walls so that if you were looking at the place from far away it would be like looking at a huge old dirty golf ball just floating above water that you can walk on as easily as any flat surface. The water there is so clear that you can easily see your reflection and that of the sky, like looking at a perfect mirror. The clouds in the sky move around quickly as if time itself is going fast forward and daytime and nighttime there happens far faster then in the real world. Handelarr has many floors, some being just floors consisting of homes while others are full of trading posts and vendors and mini shops. The building has windows surrounding it on every floor. When arriving into Handelarr a spiral case forms below the floating city of Handelarr which is basically one big giant round and circular building and you step onto the staircase which spins its way up into Handelarr. 

This particular place is seriously tough to describe so I apologize if alot does not make much sense but I am trying my best for the time being. I will have more settings to add later on.

[whiskeyworen]

Thoughts on “All or Nothing”

First of all, this is not a Doom and Gloom post. I’m not one of those that supports the idea that ANet went and George RR Martin’d us. Or that they’re gonna shutter the game and reboot it a la  Final Fantasy Online. But this will have spoilers so I’m totally tagging it that way AND putting crap below the fold.

To start, I thought this was a brilliant, and yes, shocking way to end a chapter...but by the GODS or whatever you believe in, is it a FANTASTIC WAY to lead in to either a new arc, or a new expansion. We kick the crap out of Kralkatorrik, using EVERY weapon at our disposal including a whole ton of brand new ones, as well as the landscape itself to make him easier to beat... and the plan goes to hell in a handbasket in one moment. But here’s a few notes. 1: Kralk left. He could have easily turned around and Branded everything in reach of him, turning all that power we as players unleashed on him, as well as our allies, into his minions and his powersource. But he didn’t. He ran away. He’s badly wounded, he just lost an eye, and he now knows that we can turn him into a shish-kabob easily now. 2: Aurene. If you really think the story is done with her, that she’s dead and gone.... I think you’re being silly. Take a look at the LW episode’s pieces, as well as the hints dropped within them. “Ascension.” “There’s things about Ascension that can only be told Dragon to Dragon”. “The Crystal Blooms”. Glint’s ‘memories’ if you can call them that, were to give Aurene knowledge about power and the Mists, and prophecy. For the last few episodes, we’ve almost had to treat Glint’s ‘memories’ or whatever qualifies her Mist existence as a STILL ACTIVE CHARACTER. So if Aurene has ‘died’, and gone to the Mists... isn’t she going to be just the same as that? If anything, Glint got more powerful in the Mists. 3: Aurene’s vision. It was a fatal vision. No matter how many times she cut it, no matter how many allies she brought to the fight, or where the battlefield was itself, Aurene always saw she would lose that fight. Presumably lose her life. She did the Doctor Strange thing, and scanned hundreds, if not thousands of alternate futures looking for the one that she survived in. Players assumed she found one eventually. I don’t. I think she came to terms with the fact she probably wouldn’t survive...but instead looked past that loss, to see how to ACTUALLY win. And she has sent the players down THAT path now. Whether or not she still has a part in it might not matter any more, but a better, clearer path will present itself. 4: Caithe’s blooms. CRYSTAL blooms. Yes, the effect wore off at the end of the episode...but there was a very specific bloom Caithe had in her hand, that was on her scarf after the communion. That one didn’t shatter. Didn’t fade away. Caithe did take it off her outfit...but it’s not gone. Aurene is part Crystal dragon, part Mordy dragon. We don’t see much of the Mordy in her... but it shows a bit. Some of her facial features. And the prevalence of blooms in design of Glint’s trial location for her, the title of that chapter, as well as the crystal blooms she grants Caithe. So she has control over a hybrid form of plant/mineral growth, among other things. Perhaps, given time, she can do what Mordy might have done if we hadn’t killed Trahearne? Except instead of erasing and replacing a character’s mind with her own, Aurene placed part of herself into the BLOOM. Given some time, she might come back as a new kind of Dragon, now steeped in the Ascension power from the Mists. A Dragon who can truly stand against Kralk. For now, the Bloom merely exists, but I suspect it will GROW. The other possibility is that the communion that she granted Caithe might expand to others. Obviously the Commander, since we’ve been gaining power through Aurene for the last several episodes. We’re just a tad short of becoming an outright Super Saiyan, but not by a hell of a lot. But if it expands to the rest of her allies, granting them an allied version of Kralkatorrik’s gestalt power-base, with the weakness of that mitigated by the power she got from Mordy and how he had independent minions that were still united under him? Instead of a single dragon trying to fight along side so many mortals, it would be an ARMY of dragon-power-infused allies, each one’s power magnified by their link to each other and to the whole, turning them into something far more powerful than the army that just beat the tar outta Kralk in a cave. 5: There’s also the unspoken thing. Taimi mentions it a few times while we fight Kralk near the end. “A spike in Zhaitan power.” Kralk wasn’t raising minions at that moment... he was trying to rig it so he would survive as the undead version of himself, if we’d killed him. Perhaps we even succeeded. We MIGHT have actually killed him, and then he Risen-d himself....but what’s the cost of being Risen? Did Kralk end up losing complete mental control after he turned? Is he now only a simple-minded undead beast? Is that why he wandered away after the fight, instead of taking revenge? There’s also the fact that you have to assume that when Zhaitan died, some of his power did go to Aurene. Maybe not much...but a bit. What would that do for her? Would she be able to use it to bypass the incoming Death she saw for herself in her visions? She also ate a Lich and his magic, which was apparently far different from Risen magic... so the chance of her losing her mind when ‘Risen’ reduces to her ‘Awakening’ instead. Could she cobble together an unholy hybrid of Crystal, Plant, Risen and Awakened magics that would un-Brand her AND leave her whole, and with her own mind and soul? Joko kept coming back, so long as his body was left intact. Aurene’s is intact too...just Crystalled. Can she (or by proxy, the players) undo that? She might come back even more powerful. Just some thoughts. I know a lot of this is supposition and theory. Some of them contradict each other, or just don’t play nice, but all are viable. But I definitely don’t believe this is the end of the story at all. It’s not a bad end either. It’s a SAD end... but one that may lead to a multitude of greater things in the end. If Aurene pulled a Gandalf the Great --> Gandalf the White, but you knew way ahead of time that that was the plan, would you feel anything for her sacrifice? No. But if it came out of nowhere, and while we as players grieved for our failure and loss, only for her to come back in one form or another, or for her departure to open the door for something even better to come through... I think that’s a good thing. I’m not saying goodbye to Aurene. I’m saying “See you in a few episodes.” We fought Kralkatorrik face to face. We survived not one, but TWO full-on, directed BRANDINGS, without being Branded. Canach must be making an absolute mint off our survival. We still have a Crystal Dragon to kill. I want his head for the prow of my warship.

[theonyxpath]

Hi all! Meghan Fitzgerald here, to give you the rundown on how the Deviant: The Renegades playtest went at Midwinter. Since neither Eric nor Dave could make it, Eric provided me with an excellent playtest to run, in which we were mostly testing out the Variations (powers) and Scars (power drawbacks). I had four players, but two of them couldn’t make it, so our very own Dixie and Neall stepped in to play in their places. Keep in mind the game is not in its final form and I’m not including all the details.

The player characters were:

Sister Laura Clements (Coactive), an elderly nun who hulked out into a giant monster and couldn’t control her murderous urges;

Kenneth Post (Invasive), a cyborg politician with nanites constantly rewiring his brain to make him omnicompetent with a built-in sensor array, who was overwhelmingly paranoid and came across as completely untrustworthy;

Natalie Brown (Mutant), a nurse who lost her family to the conspiracy, who could make copies of herself and short-range teleport but sometimes hallucinated or mentally glitched out;

And Daniel Thompson (Cephalist), a body snatcher and face thief with a genetic disorder that made him sick and constantly exhausted.

Their goal was supposed to be simple: infiltrate a cruise ship, find the man working for the conspiracy that’s after them, and get information out of him that would let them take the conspiracy down.

Getting on board was easy: Kenneth (and his nanites) hacked the ship’s database to reserve cabins for the group and get the layout of the ship, Daniel possessed one of the ticket checkers and then one of the luggage checkers so they could pass unmolested and Natalie could smuggle her gun aboard, and away they went. They disguised themselves to avoid getting recognized as former test subjects. They spent some time eavesdropping subtly and poking around to figure out where the places were onboard that guests weren’t supposed to go, and then went there, either stealthily or pretending to be innocent, confused tourists.

They learned that the man they were looking for — Aleksandr Mogilevich, an internationally wanted white-collar criminal who lived out at sea to avoid arrest — wasn’t on board yet, and that the ship had an off-limits helipad where presumably Aleksandr would arrive once they were far enough from land. They also learned that this ship had much stricter security than a normal cruise ship ought. Since Natalie could teleport through doors and walls as long as her DNA was present on the other side, Daniel possessed one of the guards and took a piece of her hair into the comm tower so she could later get in easily. They tried to investigate the lower decks, too, where a creepy lab held a bunch of prisoners, but that effort was interrupted when…

Having been keeping an eye and ear out for signs of Aleksandr’s arrival, Kenneth heard the helicopter touch down from belowdecks and, resolving the Spooked Condition (which he got from using a Deviant-specific Merit) and giving in to paranoia, ran off to try to handle it alone in the middle of the night. This was where things started to go…downhill. (In the best way!)

The rest of the cohort realized soon enough what he was doing and went after him, but in the meantime he chose to dramatically fail a failed roll that led to him shooting himself in the foot and getting himself knocked out by guards. Everyone else arrived just in time to see a guard dragging him into a stairwell…and Sister Clements hulked out, flew into a murderous rage, and killed all the guards in a messy few seconds of pure carnage. (She was Size 10 at the time. The corridor got awfully cramped.)

They used a dead guard’s corpse and keycard to bypass all the security leading into Aleksandr’s private quarters, including fingerprint scanners and retina scanners, the works. They only had a minute or two before backup would arrive, since monitored security cameras were everywhere and they hadn’t dealt with those yet. They used that time to investigate, looking for dirt on the conspiracy. They found that! They also found out that a Russian submarine working for the conspiracy was following the ship, ready to torpedo it into oblivion should it become compromised. Yes, with a couple thousand clueless civilian guests on board. And maybe Aleksandr, too.

The cohort intercepted a communication from the people on the submarine, who had received word that Renegades were on board and making a mess of things. The players chose to dramatically fail an attempt to convince the Russians they were guards and the disturbance had been taken care of. So, while the Russians did believe them…the response was “Oh…but we already fired the torpedo.” A second later, the ship rocked with the impact.

The cohort rushed up to the helipad, where Aleksandr was getting ready to take off again and a swarm of guards protected him. Natalie created a slew of copies of herself to dash out into the fray and cause a distracting chaos, while Daniel possessed Aleksandr, and Sister Clements carted both his insensate body and Kenneth’s unconscious one through the battle as she sliced her way through guards. Natalie teleported into the helicopter, and managed to avoid getting shot by the pilot! …but her mental glitching meant she couldn’t spend a Willpower to enhance her Firearms roll. She failed it and chose to make it dramatic, which meant she shot the control panel instead and the helicopter went haywire — no longer an escape option. During all this, the Russians fired a couple more torpedoes.

Daniel, as Aleksandr, ordered all the guards to stand down and mercifully succeeded on his roll. In the meantime, Natalie teleported off to ready a lifeboat for the cohort, while the penultimate torpedo tore into the ship, the helicopter tumbled into the sea, and the civilians poured onto the upper deck to get into lifeboats of their own in a panic. Natalie managed to stave off tourists trying to get into the cohort’s lifeboat by making a bunch of copies of herself and populating the entire boat with them. “Sorry, it’s full!”

Sister Clements barreled through the crowd, leapt into the lifeboat followed by “Aleksandr,” and then transformed back into a naked old woman. (They gave her Aleksandr’s suit to wear, once Daniel got back to his own body.) Natalie performed some first aid for Kenneth and woke him up, and then they tied Aleksandr up and started the interrogation. They promised not to kill him if he ratted out the conspiracy and told them everything they wanted to know, so he did.

Then they dumped him into the ocean and let him drown, lifeboating off into the sunset to take down a conspiracy, while in the background the final torpedo demolished the cruise ship, sinking it with almost 2,000 souls aboard.

We had a ton of fun and the feedback was highly positive! Everyone loved how varied and powerful the Variations were, and felt like they always had lots of interesting options, while their Scars were always there to threaten their subtlety, safety, or sanity. (Or everyone else’s.) They definitely felt the sense ofisolation and uphill struggle that lies at the heart of Deviant, and were legitimately invested in destroying the conspiracy that had in turn destroyed their characters’ lives.

Many thanks to those of you who played!

A note from Dixie:

Hi all! I just wanted to add that this playtest was so much fun, and really gave me context for Deviant I was lacking previously (how the different types might work together, the scope of their powers, and the common causes uniting them). Meghan is a fantastic Storyteller, so if you ever see her running demos at a convention, you should try one out! Many thanks to Eric for putting the packets together, Dave for all his hard work on the line, Meghan for running the game, and my fellow players for really embodying their characters.

I played Natalie Brown in this game and finding ways to use my clone and teleportation powers was extremely exciting, even if I both ruined a perfectly good helicopter with a dramatic failure and doomed several innocent tourists to death by filling a lifeboat with six of me. Also, I think we cut off a guy’s hand — or was it his head? We definitely talked about doing it (fingerprint and retina scanners, you know).

Hey, it’s all for the cause, right?

Right?

[veworwho]

Doom 1 download free

You'll need all the ammo you can collect, since there is a large variety of enemies set on killing you. You can sit back and snipe foes from afar with your pistol, or blow their bodies into bits with a rocket launcher. Each gun feels distinct and fun to use, and offers a different tactical approach. The arsenal of weaponry available to use spans from high powered shotguns to experimental technology. Since you'll be spending a lot of time blasting piles of demon scum, you'll be happy to know that the weapon selection is absolutely fantastic. It also forces you to become familiar with each levels layout, which grow more complex with time. The keys add a fun puzzle element to the game, and change how you approach things. Some levels have different colored keys to find, allowing you to bypass doors and continue. When you're not racing through the game's corridors and creating demon soup with your weapons, you'll want to search around for keys. The path to the levels exit is rarely an easy one, often blocked by locked doors and intimidating demons. There's a huge sense of speed, and it's tons of fun to sprint through areas while letting the bullets fly. You start out with a simple pistol, but as you clear levels and explore, you'll gain more powerful firearms. Each level of DOOM has one objective: make it to the exit. This is all due to its simplistic structure and extremely satisfying gunplay. Besides a text box or two at the end of the episode, the plot takes a backseat.Įven now, twenty five years after the original release of DOOM, the game is still wicked fun to play. It's a straightforward story, but barely a focus of the game. His journey will take him through the bowels of the red planet, and eventually it to the depths of Hell itself. With all of his comrades dead and nowhere to turn, the Space Marine must battle his way through hordes of unspeakable creatures. When some troubling experiments go wrong, a portal to hell is opened, allowing demons to flood into our dimension. The story of The Ultimate Doom follows an unnamed Space Marine, protecting a research center on Mars.

[screamingintp]

more about my mc

this is a mess, please don’t read it unless you’re interested in what i come up with when i’m sleep deprived and creating my first rp character

https://character-resource.deviantart.com/art/Big-Ass-Character-Sheet-Updating-167182524 but i cut out a buncha shit

welcome to hell(or the place in which I can’t capitalize for shit and curse too much and am vague but that’s honestly my personality in general)

Full Name: Mark Knox

Meaning: Mark, derived from Martkos(Roman), related to the war god, Mars. Knox, derived from cnoc(Scottish), meaning hillock.

Origin: made it up on the spot because planning is for cowards

Signature: illegible letters - MKX

Gender: male

Orientation: pan(i wrote pam and don’t regret it)-aro

Blood: three-quarters pure, half blood father

Birthday: 6-6

Deathday: (May not have one yet)(oh gee, did you not expect me to have a day of death?)(well, i don’t)

Astrological Sign: Gemini(fun fact: Draco’s the only Gemini on the wiki)(why is this relevant)(astrology is weird as all hell)

____

Immediate Family: Jacob Knox(brother)

Distant Family: Shay Knox(mother), Clark Knox(father)

Parenting: non-existent

Upbringing(morals and ideals): considering he was raised by a person only a few years older than him, during the period of Voldemort’s rule, he is less screwed up than he could’ve been. However, he still possesses a rather vague and undefined sense of right and wrong - using his logic to bypass any sort of regrets if it blocks him from his goal

Infancy: (dropped at birth is an option and i’m living for it)

Childhood: that one kid who lit ants on fire and was ‘rebellious’ (you know that post about america being the asshole kid with neglectful parents? That’s the one)

Adolescence: canon

Adulthood: never. He hasn’t even gotten taller

____

Species: hooman

Preferred Hand: ambidextrous(he keeps injuring his hands)

Facial Type: like a face, why is this - oval, i guess

Eye Color: dark brown

Hair Color (Self Explanatory)(it isn’t when his hair is grey/silver/white)(the kid probably bleached his already pale hair)(he probably likes the smell of bleach)

Hairstyle: fringe-up

Complexion: blushes easily, relatively smooth unless you look at the cuts and bruises and scars on his arms, back and legs

Body Type: ectomorph

Build: skinny arms and legs, he isn’t the most physically fit and regularly damages his body due to his complete lack of care for his own safety

Height: 65 in

Weight: 120 lb

Shoe Size: (Shoe size doesn’t matter)(goddamnit i forgot this was an innuendo)(keep it pg, please)

Birthmarks/scars: no birthmarks, and has tons of ugly marks all over him, none of them particularly remarkable

Distinguishing Features: the contrast between his eye color and hair color - but other than the hair, he doesn’t have a memorable face

_____

Health: as healthy as a wizard without impulse control and emotional support could be

Energy: swings from highs and lows without any pattern

Memory: remembers the small stuff, the negative parts - forgets about major ideas or lessons

Senses: heavily relies on eyes, can’t taste for shit

Allergies: (Self Explanatory. May be optional.)(i mean, i would put animals, but we have transfiguration)

Medication: needs some, doesn’t take any

Phobias(irrational fears):

Symmetrophobia(fear of symmetry, an unnatural-looking but normal occurrence, which isn’t debilitating, but causes him stress and uneasiness)

Siderophobia(fear of the stars, the idea that there’s so much out there that he doesn’t know of is pretty awful and, again, while it isn’t going to freeze him up, it will cause him to become upset)

Addictions: none yet

Mental Disorders: undiagnosed

______

Style: couldn’t care less about appearance  - he wears the school robes most of the time

Mode of Dress: doesn’t have a particular taste, as long as it’s passable, it’s fine - tends to wear a size or two larger

Grooming: somewhere in between messy and neat

Posture: he displays an air of aloofness and confidence - almost condescending in stance

Gait: quickly and efficiently - it’s brisk at his slowest

Coordination: not physically fit at all, he’s too reckless for that - exercises to the point of exhaustion without realizing that it’s detrimental to do so and has limbs flying all over the place

Habits and Mannerisms: taps his foot or fingers when excited, nervous, or anything that deviates from his usual ‘cool’ facade

Scent: earth, smoke, and grass - faint but noticeable

______

Mood: ‘calm’ - probably plotting though

Attitude: he’s charismatic and charming until you dig deeper

Stability: hA

Expressiveness: can act like he’s wearing his heart on his sleeve but can never fully give his true thoughts

When Happy: smirks - invades personal space and slows down

When Depressed: smiles - talks louder and speaks faster

When Angry: (trolls online is an option and if that isn’t Mark, i don’t know what is) smirks - wide eyes and tense hands

______

Friends: Rubeus Hagrid - but not really

Enemies: Rita Skeeter - but not really

Bosses: Filius Flitwick - but not really

Followers: not even himself

Heroes: Filius Flitwick - “short people are closer to hell and he’s gonna whoop my ass if I do anything stupid”

Rivals: Ismelda - “for most edgy teen”

Relates to: Dumbledore - impersonal but seemingly close, full of contradictions and ulterior motives

Pets/Familiars: does his jar of bug bodies count?

______

Wardrobe: mostly consisting of Hogwarts robes, formal robes, and the identical grey-blue sweater and jeans

Equipment: carries a wand and a pencil(but not paper, because he has problems)

Accessories: a single dangling silver piercing on his right ear(family tradition)

Trinkets: carries hair ties on his wrist all the time(why? He doesn’t even know)

Funds: his family is relatively well off, being a respected branch of purebloods

Home: almost like his personality, warm and nice on the outside, cozy on the inside, but dead silent and empty when no one looks - not large but not small either, seeming normal by all accounts if you don’t look into any of the rooms(jacob’s windows are taped shut and Mark broke through the locked door that connected their bedrooms)

Neighborhood: the woods

Transportation: running because stamina apparently is infinite in this world

Collections: bug bodies, herbs, and lighters

Prized Possession: his wand, after seeing Jacob’s broken one

_____

Lovers: yeet

Marital Status: yeet

____

Experience: works in the three broomsticks in his off time to get experience and money, nothing serious

Organizations/Affiliations: changeable, he doesn’t plant many roots or make any long-term promises

______

Education: i mean, Hogwarts. But is it even ‘education’?

School: (What was their school like?) bitch this is Hogwarts

Social Stereotype: “least favorite cursed student”

Intelligence: mostly interpersonal, linguistic and logical

Extracurricular Activities: would do theater if given the chance

_____

Morals: don’t exist - but he honestly has a problem with reasoning his way into committing seriously wrong deeds

Crime Record: hasn’t been caught yet ;)

Motivation: adrenaline, change - nothing truly meaningful or satisfying

Priorities: knowledge, humans, self

Philosophy: gen z nihilism

Etiquette: usually practices ‘correct’ etiquette - does not give a fuck if his behaviour offends someone though

Influences: everything and anything he finds intriguing

Traditions: tries to run away from them, always moving and staying ahead of the past

______

Career: spell-inventor or wand-maker/seller

Desires: uncertain

Accomplishments: undetermined

Biggest Failure: failing Jacob

Secrets: his manipulative side, his genuinely mean streak and the fact that he regrets having those traits

Regrets: a shit ton of things

Worries: Jacob, being nothing in the grand scheme of things, being a hypocrite, betrayal, a shit ton of things

Best Dream: having a greater purpose

Worst Nightmare: dying alone and being left behind as a ghost

Best Memories: finding his brother’s secret room, meeting Billingsley

Worst Memories: losing his brother, lying to his teachers, accidentally calling Chester: Jacob

_______

Hobbies/Interests: explore the wilderness, identify flora and fauna, observing other people

Skills/Talents: pyromancy, charms in general, debating, acting, singing

Likes: mint, sharpies, fire

Dislikes: himself, close-minded people, pity

Sense of Humor: sarcastic, self-deprecating, relatively dark

Pet Peeves: the guy scratching his quill the wrong way in the front row whenever they write essays

Dreams/Nightmares: doesn’t dream usually - when he does, it’s usually flashes of color and abstract black and white shapes

Quirks: can’t sit on the fucking couch correctly

Understands: how people think, the reason they fail, mistakes

Can't understand: quidditch, values, structure

Closet Hobby: burning shit(though that isn’t really a hidden thing with him)

_________

Strengths: charismatic, diplomatic, quick-witted, inwardly caring, able to understand his flaws, patient, logical, able to read other people

Flaws: lies often, manipulative, lazy, lenient, passive, harsh, inconsiderate, enjoys pushing people’s buttons, doesn’t understand people

Perception of others: beautiful, incomprehensible, vast

Instincts: wants approval(deems it irrational)

Lures: leadership roles, secrets, problems

Soft Spot: innocence but not ignorant, optimism

________

Ability: capable if he puts his mind to it - employs unpredictable and risky techniques instead of having a fear of consequences

Weaknesses: stubborn opponents - he expects change and gets caught off guard when someone seems set in their ways

Patronus: non-corporeal

Boggart: fire(irony i guess is easy to use when you don’t have anything else)

Wand: spruce, phoenix feather, 12”, springy

Amortentia: lime, smoke, sharpies

House: Ravenclaw(that post about the kid wanting to be put in Ravenclaw since ppl will trust you but got in Slytherin)

_____

Favorite Color(s): grey, blue

Favorite Animal(s): swedish short snout

Favorite Drink(s): coffee and soda(probably together because he can’t function like a normal person)

Favorite Genre: mystery or myths

Favorite Subject(s): charms(Flitwick is the man) and divination(where you can bs your way through anything)

Least Favorite Color(s): black, white

Least Favorite Animal(s): flies

Least Favorite Drink(s): does soup count? Because he does drink it in a cup

Least Favorite Genre: manuals and biographies

Least Favorite Subject(s): flying(impulsive idiot) and care of magical creatures(he’s a screw up around animals)

________

Languages: english and he taught himself some Latin

Voice: average in tone, a bit nasally, rather forgettable except for the speed

Greetings and Farewells: doesn’t

Ask your character "how are you": yes.

Character tries to compliment: you have eyes, your name is ___

Tries to insult: passive-aggressively drags a person

Expletive: damn(dam)(loopholes, my friends)

Laughter: snorting, definitely not normal

Tagline: ___, yeah?

________

Reputation: other than the whole ‘brother’ problem, is relatively well-liked

First Impressions: charming, confident guy

Stranger Impressions: a bit loud but not strange

Friendly Impressions: goddamnit Mark, shut up

Enemy Impressions: please keep talking so we’re allowed to punch you in the face

Familiar Impressions: ah yes, the hair pops up from time to time

Compliments from others: bright, energetic, optimistic, honest

Insults: dangerous, unstable, chaotic

Self-Impression: am shit

_________

Compare to: forest fire(destructive and necessary for change)

Symbols: flames, ashes, duality

[vizhi0n]

Sawney - Part 38

Chapter Masterlist

If you wanna be tagged or untagged lemme know!

@orchiddingme @i-am-negan-trash @kellyn1604 @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash @genevievedarcygranger @lucifers-trash-stash @jasoncrouse @deviousginga @mypapawinchester @my-achilles--heel @superprincesspea @kijilinn @ladylorelitanyfanfiction @fatedwisp @toxic-ink @collette04 @jeffreydeanneganstrash @backseat-negan @lovingzombiechaos @nycktmcginn @castielwinchester22 @vinylmadwoman @imjustmakingsuffupagain @embracetheapocalypsewithme @gremlinfuck @negans-network @curlyhairedblueeyedangel @originalwinchestervamp @moonypetyr @mcnegan @melodicdolls @rapsity @crzcorgi @romeomontvgue @darkangel66a @jessiellong1987 @negans-shtten-pants @neganswinchesters @heartfulloffandoms @hannibalssweaters @strangersangel9 @itstotalyblue 

Warnings: disturbing ass gore, some smut at the end.

Their home was opened up from the outside — not by biters, but by vandals looking for food. They bashed in the windows and plied away the wooden beams. Four of them — Desa’s mother was in hysterics, still. She couldn’t get her husbands blood out of the carpet.

Desa retrieved her father’s handgun, cocking it as her sister demanded that Jack hide in the closet upstairs. She had a crowbar as a weapon. The minute the vandals burst through, Desa fired. Blood spewed and the floor became painted with crimson.

Bullets flew. One pierced Desa’s leg and she cried out. Her sister had no time to swing her crowbar before she was shot in the neck, the buckshot piercing through her throat and out the other end. Another hit her leg. Then another in the chest, and she fell.

Desa screamed and fired, and fired, and fired, until blood filled her mind and her brain and—

“They’re gone. They must have scattered,” Laura said. She sighed, glancing around the room before saying softly, “We didn’t see Drake. We would have…put him down if we had.”

“That’s not your job. Don’t worry about it,” Negan mumbled. Laura shot him a saddened look, before excusing herself. The meeting room was empty — Gavin and Eugene were out reinforcing the gates. Chairs that would have once been occupied by Simon, Regina, and Drake, were empty.

Rick’s people had found them, bloody and stumbling along holding a barely conscious Carl. They’d taken the boy, leaving Negan and Desa to fend for themselves — which Negan didn’t hold against him. Had Laura and Arat not rolled up a few minutes after….

Negan didn’t want to think about it. He still remembered Desa, blood coming from her mouth, leaning against him for support as they considered their options.

You could never make the hard decisions.

Negan shook his head, standing and grabbing Lucille. He headed up towards the parlor. He had no clue which of his wives had decided to stay, and which had crawl back to join the workers. At this point, he really didn’t care.

Sherry, no longer clad in her black dress, met Negan at the top of the stairs. In a low voice, she said, “I tried bringing her food. She won’t eat.”

“That’s not your fucking job, Sherry—”

“I owe it to her. I was nasty towards her, because of Tanya…she saved us,” Sherry blocked Negan’s path, and he rolled his eyes. “None of the others girls are staying. Neither am I.”

“Dwight sure as fuck won’t take you back, but by all means, go and try,” Negan scoffed.

“I don’t want him to take me back. We’re done. It’s over,” Sherry replied bitterly. “So are we. But we’ve been over.”

Sherry bypassed him, heading towards the lower levels. Negan watched her go, lips pressed into a thin line. Part of him couldn’t deal with her bullshit. Not when Desa was in his room and in pain. But he had enough space in his heart to feel remorse for the way he treated her.

“Shit,” Negan pinched the bridge of his nose. As he entered the parlor, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in one of the mirror — haggard, hair disheveled, dark circles under his eyes pronounced. He looked as if he'd aged ten years in a week. He was certain Desa wasn’t any better, and when he entered his room, he found her buried beneath the covers of his bed.

She stirred, lifting her head. And in that moment, Negan nearly collapsed, for she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. And he’d almost lost her.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Desa mumbled. She reached for him as he shed his jacket, sliding into her arms. He nuzzled the side of her neck, inhaling, closing his eyes as her small hands reached up to touch his face. He kissed her, sighing into her lips.

“Sherry said that you won’t eat,” Negan murmured. “What’s wrong?”

“Can’t sleep, either. Nightmares.”

“About what?”

“Just…my family. My sister,” Desa shrugged. “It’s not anything new. I’m just letting them bother me.”

Negan’s fingers dipped beneath the hem of her shirt, tracing the bruises on her hips and ribs. She flinched, hissing. “Did Carson take care of you?”

“He did.”

“Good,” Negan murmured. They sat in silence, enjoying each others embrace. After a while Negan said, “You can’t fucking beat yourself up about Drake.”

“Everyone is dead,” Desa replied, her voice hollow. “Everyone that I know…that I knew,” she sucked in a breath. “Alpha, the leader of the Whisperer’s…she called me an animal. She said that I belonged with her people because I’m meant to survive. I am, and I hate it. I hate that I’m not human anymore—”

“Then what does that fucking make me? Huh? I’m still alive,” Negan cupped her cheek. “If you’re a monster, then I’m a fucking monster. No fucking shame in living, Desa. None at all.”

Desa didn’t reply. Then, in a soft voice, she asked the question Negan knew would eventually come.

“Where’s Simon?”

“Dad has a gun.”

Desa lifted her head. Jack’s eyes were wide with terror. His lower lip quivered, big, fat tears threatening to fall from his eyes. He was standing a foot away from the corpses of their invaders, and the corpse of their sister, which were beginning to rot and decay beneath the blankets that covered them.

Desa was halfway from her chair.

A gunshot.

The boarded walls of the home shuddered. Candles, the only source of light in the room, wobbled. Then, the unmistakable, horrifying sound of Desa’s mother shrieking. Desa was quick to lose track of Jack — she assumed he’d stayed in the living room.

Nothing would prepare her for the sight of her father, sprawled out across the floor, with half his head blown off from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Desa awoke screaming. Negan had to pin her thrashing body to the bed, his weight atop her as he cried her name.

She fell still.

“Nightmare,” Desa gasped. “I’m sorry.”

Negan peeled himself away, reaching over and flicking on the lamp. His bare chest heaved and he stroked Desa’s hair, murmuring, “I’m here. You’re safe.”

In an attempt to distract herself, Desa rolled atop him and kissed him. Her hands travelled across his body, from his neck down passed his navel. She missed him. She missed his body — everything. And between feverish, hungry kisses she verbalized that.

“Missed you,” Desa murmured. “I need you.”

Negan smoothed her hair back, and away from her face. Desa hastily shed her nightshirt, rising to her knees so she could kick off her panties. Negan watched, slipping two fingers beneath her folds. Pinpricks of pleasure shot from her core, throughout her sore body. Her mouth opened in silent bliss when he lifted his head to take one of her dark nipples into his mouth, humming at the contact. With each stroke of his fingers, Desa found herself getting closer and closer.

“That’s it, baby, that’s fucking it,” Negan groaned. Desa clenched, hard, around his fingers, eyes squeezed shut as white-hot sparks of bliss and pleasure shot through her entire body. She whined when he pulled his fingers away, sucking them into his mouth. Desa sat up, straddling his waist and staring down at him with her eyebrows raised.

Negan stared, tilting his head ever so slightly. Wet fingers rose to stroke Desa’s cheek, and in a low voice, he murmured, “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

Desa hummed, nipping at Negan’s lower lip, suckling on the skin. She could feel his erection straining against his boxers, but when she reached for it, he stopped her.

“You need to rest.”

Desa whined again, grinding her core against his clothed cock. When he stopped her again, she moaned, “Why?”

“Tomorrow,” Negan replied. “Tomorrow I want to spend the entire fucking day with you. Just us, in bed. Eating food, fucking, doing whatever the fuck we want.”

Desa slumped atop Negan, tucking her head beneath his chin. He gave a content sigh, wrapping his arms around her.

“Love you,” Desa mumbled, already feeling the clutches of sleep take her. Her body felt sated, satisfied. She had no idea if she even had another round left in her. So she closed her eyes, and prayed that there would be no nightmares.

[peekono]

NDRV3 RPG Basic Character Outline

eh? nani sore? I finally finished the basic outline of each character’s class and backstory (as well as some relationships) after 3 months? It’s pretty long and has some implied spoilers but otherwise it’s pretty spoiler-free rip mobile users

Team Himiko

Yumeno Himiko - The protag of the story, a very unmotivated mage who only agreed to go on the adventure because her best friend is missing and feels like she has to do it. Is often stuck in weird situations thanks to Rantaro and Ouma- her only actual motivation is the letters that Tenko sends her occasionally. It is implied she may be one of the most powerful mages in the kingdom, but nobody can prove this as Himiko always makes up an excuse to not use her full power. She’s the only mage to be able to use all elements of magic.

Amami Rantaro - That one mystery man that you see at the title screen. His class is also unknown but has all-rounded skills both in magic and close-combat. Informs Himiko of her duties at the very beginning and the first one to join her party and practically invites anyone to their party despites Himiko’s many (and lazy) protests. Seems to know more than he lets on but Himiko doesn’t question him since she doesn’t really care. Has this odd looking familiar that follows him around, Himiko likes him so that’s one good thing about having Rantaro in her party.

Yonaga Angie -  The priest that doesn’t look like a priest, Angie comes from a foreign land to practice the arts of purification magic. She’s one of the only members who Himiko invited personally to her group and actually appreciates. She often has to motivate Himiko to get them to go anywhere ( or Angie tries to use Rantaro as human sacrifice and Himiko thinks that’s a bad idea.)

Ouma Kokichi – A supposed powerful necromancer that has a secret army of over 10 thousand undead members and that one shady map seller in games but also has a butt ton of helpful items such as dungeon keys he found 5 years old that conveniently opens the gate to the dungeon they’re going to. Has his own shetler pony called Daikichi (often called Dai-chan) that he has to carry half the time since he's too slow until Shinguuji gives him a wagon. Himiko was gonna leave him behind until Rantaro invited him to join their group much to Himiko’s dismay. He also occasionally gives hints in obscene ways to ‘help the team.’

Daikichi (aka Dai-chan) – Ouma’s pet horse and companion, Dai-chan is a shetler horse apparently given to Ouma by a mysterious fairy after he dropped a bottle of panta in the fountain Dai-chan wears a horse mask(and nobody (except Maki) questions about it) and Ouma/Rantaro are his main caretakers. don't worry they take off the mask when he eats. Is so slow that Ouma has to carry him half the time until Shinguuji gives him a wagon for Dai-chan. Really likes Rantaro and Ouma and is the only thing Ouma won’t sell or trade for anything.

Harukawa Maki – The demon gatekeeper of the first dungeon and an expert archer. Has a flower theme and is pissed off 23/6. Constantly pissed off and one of the only people who can actually make her happy is Momota. Cooks for the group and usually deals with the bargaining. Lucifer (the first dungeon boss) offered Maki as a reward for defeating him and both Himiko and Maki were gonna reject the offer but Rantaro accepted Lucifer’s offer. Seriously wants to kill Ouma but Gonta somehow manages to stop her.  She’s very stealthy so she can easily instant KO enemies if Himiko just wants to rush through an area. 

Gonta Gokuhara – The literal B.F.G (aka big friendly giant) that was raised by wolves. Unlike the usual giants who are literal dickheads, Gonta is so nice that the giants exiled him from their land. Luckily, Gonta has the ability to shrink himself to human sized so nobody will try and murder him. He found Himiko’s group by coincidence while one of the butterflies he was studying flew onto Maki’s horn (which she didn’t mind). Is one of the members Himiko personally invites to the group and likes to ride on his shoulders when she doesn’t want to walk anymore.   He’s able to communicate with animals and insects and control them as well, but Gonta don’t like doing that so he often uses his bare fists or a club to defeat enemies.

Kiibo – A rusted robot that Himiko and co. found shortly after Maki’s recruitment, Himiko originally wanted to leave him behind but Rantaro insisted on bringing him to the next town so the local blacksmith (aka Iruma) could check on him. Once she oils him up, the first thing Kiibo sees is Ouma staring directly at him with his face half blue (due to the illuminating light coming from Kiibo) and literally asks him if he had a dick. Kiibo is officially traumatized and wished he stayed asleep. Doesn’t remember what his purpose is but follows Himiko and co. in hopes of them being able to fix his amnesia.

Iruma Miu – The alchemist (or “The great fuckin’ Inventor Iruma Miu-sama!”) of the group, literally only joined the group because of her strong interest to Kiibo (much to the robot’s dismay). Dai-chan doesn’t like her so he tries to kick her at least 12 times a day. Once sent the party down a volcano when she really wanted that one thing and it set off a trap causing a pitfall (Dai-chan was safe don’t worry). Maki nearly killed her that day.  She mainly provides support with her many machinery with the assistance of her (clumsy) blue mouse friend she made from leftover parts and fixes any broken things the group happens to come across (like Maki’s bow and arrow and random trinkets they find off the floor and she upgrades their weapons).

Team Sai-Kae-de (Saihara + Kaede) (they’re not the best at naming-)

Saihara Shuuichi – The rookie detective and part of the castle’s security forces, the King sends him and Kirumi in search of his daughter after she gets kidnapped. Saihara’s extremely thankful he has Kirumi to fend off monsters since he’s like a noodle and would get trampled if he wasn’t careful enough. After fainting from exhaustion, Kirumi carries him to the nearest village (which happens to snow all year round) and meet Kaede, a waitress/pianist of the local pub. He and Kaede share leadership of the party since everyone thought they were the most suited for the job. He doesn’t particularly fit in any class as he’s not very strong and has a limited amount of magic, so he often has to watch from the side but is quite stealthy so in return he uses his detective skills to help the team through dungeons and stuff.

Akamatsu Kaede – An elf who lives in a snow village and works at the local pub as a waitress while occasionally performing on the piano, Kaede almost considered setting the village on fire (since all the buildings are cabins-) for a change of pace until Kirumi came in with an exhausted Saihara. After hearing their goal, Kaede quickly joins their party for some excitement in her mundane life ( hasn’t told anyone about how she wanted to burn her village down yet-). She’s the bard of the group and she’s more on the offensive side, but is also able to provide a small amount of defense

Tojo Kirumi – The personal maid of Chabashira Tenko and the head knight of Dreamfield, she accompanies Saihara through his journey to rescue Tenko. Although it looks like she does not wear armor, her dress is actually custom-made armor plating designed to fool others into thinking she’s a defenseless maid, she’s also able to use small amounts of magic. She’s the one to bargain in flea markets as well as care for the rest of the team. She has a deep interest in the black magic, which eventually led the team to Shinguuji’s store. She also once worked alongside Hoshi before.

Shirogane Tsumugi – The ‘rookie’ mage that Saihara and co. found passed out on the pathway to the town where Shinguuji’s store was. She’s mainly support but is able to use transformation magic to help the team bypass stuff. She’s also very cautious around Shinguuji’s black magic as they’re said to be able to exocise the Big Bad himself.

Shinguuji Korekiyo – The necromancer that the whole town fears as it’s implied he’s able to communicate with his dead sister. The only reason why Saihara even agreed to go in his store was because of Kirumi’s interest in black magic. He also provides support for the team and is able to summon the undead to distract enemies in case Saihara just wants to get the fuck out. He also occasionally teaches Kirumi about black magic, much to Saihara and Kaede’s concerns. He also gives Ouma a wagon during a cross-meeting between Himiko and Saihara.

Hoshi Ryoma – A once nobel knight that had worked under Kirumi but resigned due to personal reasons. Nowadays, he’s known as the Berserker Tennis due to his aggressive style as well preferring to use a racquet and tennis ball rather than a sword. He approached Saihara and co. at a restaurant after eavesdropping on them, Kirumi was obviously shocked as she hadn’t seen him in years. It is unknown why he joined the team but Saihara assumes it’s because he’d like to see Tenko one last time (bc you know, knights duty?)

Momota Kaito  – The part-time astronomer and librarian of Dreamfield’s biggest library, Saihara and co. happen to run across him taking a bath by the nearby river (full nude, no towel, like a man yo). He also has a master (who is basically the head librarian aha) and is a powerful skald but doesn’t have a lot of magic so his master banned him from using any magic tools as he coughs blood if he uses too much magic and instead trained his body. Despite this, Momota still uses magic tools. Everytime the team defeats a dungeon and goes to a restaurant to celebrate, Momota always exaggerates the tales (even if it was just a low-leveled enemy) to the other customers. Also met Maki a long time ago, but did not know she was a demon until Himiko and co. had a cross-meeting with Saihara and co. (he was very shook) He also fear Shinguuji for obvious reasons

Neutral

Chabashira Tenko – The princess of Dreamfield and a trained martial artist, she has a very close bond with Himiko and Angie (she’s wary of her tho). She has her own personal maid (aka Kirumi) who she treats like a big sister. When she was younger, she’d done a bad and confronted a slime monster (they’re very powerful since their acid can melt anything) and got cursed to being half slimy. She decided to not remove the curse since “it would add on to her training”. Her kicks and punches are strong enough to cut down huge forests and even rip through strong armor as well.It is known that the Big Bad had kidnapped her, but for some reason she has enough freedom to send Himiko letters every now and then, so it is unknown if she’s really been taken to the Big Bad’s castle.

Monocubs (aka Monosuke, Monokid, Monodam, Monofunny and Monotaro) – The main 5 generals of the Big Bad, they each have a dungeon in the kingdoms main 5 cities. It is said that over 10 thousand brave adventurers challenged them and failed, but it is unknown if this is true as Himiko and co. have often found them doing weird things such as covering the path with honey. It is also said that one of them might have Tenko captured in their dungeon (but that is false).

Monokuma  – The self-proclaimed father of the monocubs as well as the head general. It is implied that he’s the Big Bad but he actually does more secretary work and also issues orders to the cubs. He often leaves the castle to taunt Himiko and co. as well Saihara and co. Nobody has managed to challenge him yet so his abilities are unknown except that he’s able to use magic to a degree 

[mandelene]

Tips for Writing Medical AUs

I said I’d make a follow-up post on some things you should know when writing scenes involving medicine, and here it finally is! Most of this is first-aid related and skims the surface of common medical problems–just enough general stuff you’ll need to help you get started with writing a scene. None of what I’ve written here should be taken as actual medical advice. This is strictly for your writing purposes only. If you have an actual medical problem, please see a licensed medical professional.

Fevers:

Low grade fever = the person’s oral temperature (the temperature taken under their tongue) is higher than the standard 98.6 F (or 37 C) but lower than 100.4 F (38 C). Doesn’t usually require treatment, unless the person is uncomfortable.

A fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C) would be treated with a cold compress for the person’s head (or multiple compresses), over the counter fever reducers like ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin, Advil, etc.) or acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol), and rest.

Fevers of around 103 F (39.4 C) are generally more concerning for adults than they are for children. Children are likely to have higher fevers than adults without warranting as much cause for alarm, but the severity varies with the illness that’s causing it. At this point, the person would likely have to see a doctor because such high fevers aren’t caused by simple colds and could indicate an illness that would require antibiotics.

104 F (40 C) or higher usually means it’s time for a trip to the ER, especially if the person is vomiting, isn’t drinking water, or feels confused/delirious. The person would have to be on IV fluids to prevent dehydration and would need to be monitored.

105 F (40.5 C) is usually the highest a person’s temperature will go, unless something is wrong with their hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature. If for some reason the person’s temperature does rise above 105 F, brain damage still wouldn’t occur until around 107.5 F (42 C), which is very rare and unlikely. One thing I see when people write about high fevers is that they put the ailing character in an ice bath. This is something you would not want to do. The drastic change in temperature would cause a person to go into shock, put them through extreme/unnecessary discomfort, and make them shiver, raising their temperature and essentially doing more harm than good. The water in the bath should be lukewarm, or the person can have cold/ice packs put on them while they’re in bed.  

Also, it’s not wise to have the character “sweat out” the fever. They should be stripped of excess clothing and shouldn’t be covered/bundled up. Please don’t have a character with a fever of 103 drink a hot cup of tea either.

Stitches: Stitches aren’t given without a local anesthetic and pain relievers being provided first, and no, a character shouldn’t magically know how to stitch someone up without having some kind of previous medical knowledge. It’s not as easy as you may think it is, especially if it’s to be done correctly. The person would be given an injection to numb the area, and then the sutures would be put in. If the wound is small, the person might be given butterfly closures (commonly referred to as Steri-Strips). They can also be used after stitches are removed to support the wound until it heals further.

Broken bones (fractures):

Fractures can get pretty complex because there are tons of different types and everything depends on how the fracture occurred, but you shouldn’t need to know many details aside from some things that are probably already common sense. Regardless of the type of fracture, keeping the swelling down is important, so the character should keep the broken bone elevated, limit physical activity, and keep ice on the area.

Broken bones are diagnosed by a physical examination first followed by an x-ray if the physical examination shows signs of a suspected fracture. The doctor would ask how the injury occurred, look at the person’s medical history, and then feel the area before asking the person to go through a number of short tests to determine their range of motion. If you want to know the in-depth assessments for determining a specific kind of break, you can find great and informative videos on YouTube that show doctors actually performing these physical exams.  

Depending on the type of break and where it is on the body, recovery time would vary. For these kinds of details, I would recommend consulting a medical encyclopedia if you have access to one, or check out a website like MayoClinic, which should give you the basic stuff you’ll need to know.

Writing about Strokes:

If you need to write about the symptoms and diagnosis of a stroke, just remember FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time.) Face means you check to see if one side of the person’s face is drooping. Arm means to ask the person to hold both of their arms out in front of them and see if one arm starts dropping lower than the other. Speech refers to whether the person is speaking clearly or if their speech is slurred/hard to understand. Time means the person needs to get help quickly, seeing as timing is everything. A character with some knowledge of first aid would know to keep track of exactly how much time has gone by since the symptoms first appeared. Writing about Heart Attacks: The symptoms of a heart attack (or if you’re being fancy–a myocardial infarction) can be obvious or not so obvious. It honestly depends on the circumstances and the person, but the textbook symptoms are: dizziness, clammy skin, and pain in one or more of these places in the upper body: chest, jaw, upper abdomen, or arms. The person could also have a feeling of “tightness” in their chest, back, or neck. They might be short of breath and experience the sensation of “impending doom,” which is a feeling of intense anxiety. A character with some knowledge of first aid would know to give the person an aspirin and make them chew it, which would help keep blood from clotting and save precious time needed to get the person help. The treatments for a heart attack vary based on what caused it, but the person would be put on supplemental oxygen, given a blood thinner, and either undergo angioplasty (which is when a balloon is inflated inside the artery to open/unblock it. This is typically followed by the insertion of a stent which holds the artery open after the balloon is deflated) or they would have coronary artery bypass surgery, which is when an artery that isn’t blocked is used to bypass the artery that is blocked and restores blood flow to the heart).

Head Injuries/Concussions:

Head injuries are also super varied and complex. Head injuries are usually a pretty serious thing, and even mild head injuries can cause concern. I’m going to specifically talk about concussions here, as those are the most common head injuries you’re likely going to be encountering in your writing. Concussions, like heart attacks, have symptoms that are not always obvious. It’s possible to have a concussion and not even be aware of it.

No matter how seemingly mild the head injury might seem, your character would be wise to see a doctor. You don’t need to hit your head that hard to cause damage.

If the character is dazed, dizzy, and nauseous/vomiting, they need to be taken to the ER for a CAT scan of their head. The character would take some over-the-counter pain meds and needs to be watched by a friend/family member. If the character isn’t acting alert, they shouldn’t sleep. A doctor would be able to assess the severity of the concussion by checking the condition of their eyes, asking them some questions to figure out how alert they are, and having them perform a few simple physical movements.

Resuscitation and CPR:

There’s a lot of confusion about this topic because of how poorly it is presented in movies/TV. A defibrillator (which is what you would associate with the “crash cart”) isn’t used once a person has already flat-lined/doesn’t have a pulse (also known as being asystole). It’s only used when the person has an irregular heart rhythm like V-fib, which puts them at risk for flat-lining. I repeat, the defibrillator is used to prevent a person from flat-lining. The whole “CLEAR! OMG WE BROUGHT HER BACK TO LIFE” trope is really misleading. It doesn’t work that way. If a person doesn’t have a pulse, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is immediately started, which involves chest compressions, which are quick, rhythmic presses that are done at around a 100 times per minute. After every 30 chest compressions, the person is given a breath of air. Fun fact, to keep a steady pace, doctors and nurses are often taught to do chest compressions to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees.  

Doctors/nurses can do chest compressions sometimes up to 45 or 50 minutes before pronouncing someone dead. As you can probably imagine, it’s pretty exhausting, and in the hospital, everyone takes turns doing chest compressions once they get tired, which is part of the reason why there are multiple people in the room when someone flat-lines. They don’t put electrical pads on a person that’s already dead. Don’t believe the movies.

Common misperceptions about hospitals/the medical field in general that I’ve noticed:

Keep in mind that I’m writing this part as someone who has only had exposure to American medical practices (more specifically urban American medical practices). Hospital protocol differs from region to region, so the things I write in this part may apply to American hospitals but not necessarily to hospitals in Canada or Europe. Just thought I’d make that clear first! :)

The role of nurses: In general, nurses (and I’m talking mainly about RNs) working at hospitals are the ones who administer most of the actual care to patients while doctors come up with the diagnosis, outline a treatment plan, analyze lab results, and order medications.

However, even this varies. Registered nurses in New York, for example, are expected to put in IVs, draw blood, and do a lot more hands-on work with the patients than nurses in small hospitals in a less populous state would be expected to do. They also have more patients. Doctors honestly don’t do a heck of a whole lot, but it depends on the specific doctor. Some doctors won’t even physically meet with the patient–-they’ll just ask the nurse for updates and only get involved if they are absolutely needed. Other doctors will be more involved. 

My point is, don’t underestimate the role of nurses when writing them into your stories. They are just as important to the patient (if not more so) than the doctor. Oftentimes, they’ll know what’s wrong with a patient before the doctor does. So don’t mess with them. They’re a feisty bunch, especially nurses who have been working in a hospital setting for a long time. It irks me a little when I read stories where the nurses just give water to the patients, sit to chat with them about the weather, and take them for strolls around the unit. That’s not what nurses do. That’s what volunteers do.

The ER:

Think of the emergency room as your starting point when going to the hospital. If your character’s got pneumonia and they’re dehydrated, their first step would be the ER. I think a lot of misconceptions regarding the ER happen in people’s writing because they don’t know the process of how it works and have to rely on movies/TV again. So let’s go through it step-by-step to make it easier to visualize, which will also make your writing clearer and less vague. If you walked into an ER right now with hypothetical pneumonia, this is the process you’d go through:

First, you��d sit in a little waiting area outside of the actual ER. You’d then be called over to provide some basic information and explain what the reason for your visit is. If you haven’t been in the hospital before, you would provide more information than if you were already in the system. This includes medical history, insurance info, etc.

You’d then get your vitals checked by the triage nurse, who would be able to determine the severity of your condition and how quickly you would need to be brought onto the unit. Someone having trouble breathing or chest pain would be brought into the unit almost immediately. (Also, if someone arrived to the hospital by ambulance and didn’t walk in, they’d also be brought to a bed immediately). Broken bones = waiting longer because it’s not prioritized as much, especially if the ER is busy.

If you had a high fever and were coughing/short of breath, it’s fair to say you’d be seen fairly soon, though not right away. 

After an examination by the triage nurse, getting put into the computer system, and receiving a hospital bracelet, you’d be given a bed and be expected to endure a little more waiting. You might be seen by a number of people. Most likely, the first person you’d see is your nurse. She/He would ask you about your pain level, ask if you want any pain medication, etc. Then, you’d wait to see a doctor, or if it’s not that serious, you might be seen by a P.A. (Physician’s Assistant), which I would argue is as close as someone can get to being a doctor without actually being a doctor. If you got stuck with a P.A., you could always request to see an M.D., but most people are afraid to say something. (Don’t be most people–-that’s just a general life tip.)

If you were deemed not all that sick and the doctor/P.A was taking their sweet time, you might end up unlucky and run into a medical or nursing student first. You’d know if someone’s a med/nursing student because they’d introduce themselves as one, and they’d likely be fumbling, asking all of the wrong questions, and generally seem awkward and inexperienced. They might try to examine you and fail. You might get annoyed. You’d probably be wondering where the damned doctor is. Interns (first year physicians) also fumble around a lot like students, but you’d only run into them in what are called “teaching hospitals,” which are exactly what they sound like. Teaching hospitals take in doctors that are just starting out and try to transform them into competent physicians. Not all hospitals are teaching hospitals. If you wanted to make certain you were in good hands, you would make sure you met a resident physician or–-gasp–-the elusive attending physician (AKA Mr./Ms. I’m the Real Doctor Here, Unlike These Other People) at some point. (Be warned that the attending physician would be cranky if you asked to see them for a small wound or simple illness/injury.) But eventually, you’d see some kind of doctor. They’d examine you, decide on a treatment method, and then leave again. If deemed necessary, the nurse would come in to put in your IV, draw blood, and take a urine sample. These are standard things that are done when you come in with a virus/infection. You might also be given a fever reducer in either a pill or through IV fluids if you couldn’t hold down any pills or liquids. After your lab results came back, the doctor would decide if you needed further medication like an antibiotic. Pneumonia usually leads to needing a chest x-ray as well, so your doctor would order that.

The nurse would check in on you periodically, and the doctor would stop by to check your progress as well (unless your doctor was antisocial and had a bad bedside manner, in which case, you would remember this post and request for someone else who would actually be invested in making you better).  

If your condition improved, the doctor might consider having you discharged and give you some instructions and a prescription for medication before sending you home. If you got worse and had complications like low oxygen saturation and more difficulty breathing, your doctor might transfer you to another unit better suited to give you more individualized care, like the ICU, for example, and so, your journey through the hospital would continue, and you’d go through much of the same process on another unit as you went through in the ER: get your vitals checked by a nurse, wait to see a doctor, get examined, get put on the doctor’s treatment plan, have your medication administered by the nurse, etc.

Hopefully, that clarifies things a little. Here are some things you also want to keep in mind:

-Nurses and doctors in the ER are calm no matter the situation. They’re not running back and forth yelling and causing a bunch of commotion (that’s what the patients do sometimes). The nurses and doctors have seen it all and nothing fazes them. They’re professionals, and so, they’re trained to deal with emergency situations without flipping out. 

This applies to all hospital units, not just the ER. If your character is having a baby and is on the maternity unit, none of the nurses or doctors are going to be dropping everything and running around like the place is on fire. They deliver dozens and dozens of babies a day, so you want to make sure that’s reflected in the interactions of the staff with your character.

-Don’t have your character just walk out of a hospital unit whenever they feel like it. If they’re an adult, of course the hospital can’t force them to stay, but the hospital has to have them fill out an AMA (Against Medical Advice) form and discharge them before they can leave. They can’t just magically escape the hospital. That’d be a huge lawsuit.  

-Bedside manner and competence aren’t necessarily the same. A doctor/nurse can be the sweetest, funniest, and most approachable person in the world, but that doesn’t automatically make them good at what they do. Show off their skill sets or lack thereof. What does your character want/need? Do they want the person taking care of them to have a good bedside manner, or do they care more about the quality of care they get? Personally, I’ll take a mean, sassy doctor who is brilliant over an average-skilled happy-go-lucky doctor any day, but that’s just my preference. Some people need someone who is both happy-go-lucky and competent because they need emotional support as well as physical care in order to recover. It all depends on your character. 

All right, I know I’ve missed a bunch of stuff, but there’s honestly so much info to cover. If you guys have specific questions you’d like help on in your medical scenes (or you’re just curious), send everything to my inbox, and I’ll try to answer your questions as best as I can. If I can’t answer them, I’ll consult my mom or someone at the hospital and get back to you. Also, if there was something that was unclear, or you found an inaccuracy in anything I’ve written here, please let me know, and I’ll be happy to make the appropriate edits. I want everyone to be well-informed and write amazing, breath-taking medical AUs that I can binge-read.

Happy writing,

-Mandelene